No. 23 Texas Continues Home Stand Against Washington
Spirits are undoubtedly high in Austin as the No. 23 Texas Longhorns (10-6, 2-1) have won two straight games following back-to-back victories over the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Incarnate Word Cardinals.
The win over the Red Raiders marked the Longhorns' first conference series win of the season, giving them a confidence boost. After all, going into Lubbock and taking two out of three games from a perennial contender in the Big 12 is nothing to scoff at.
Following that was an impressive midweek win over Incarnate Word in which they held one of the nation's best offenses to just one run. Looking to build on those two wins, they welcome the Washington Huskies (4-7-1) to Disch-Falk Field looking to keep momentum going in their final non-conference weekend series of the season.
How to watch/listen:
Game 1: Friday at 7 p.m. CT (Longhorn Network/TexasSports.com/Audio)
Game 2: Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT (Longhorn Network/TexasSports.com/Audio)
Game 3: Sunday at 1 p.m. CT (Longhorn Network/TexasSports.com/Audio)
Washington by the numbers:
Record: 4-7-1
Runs scored: 53
Runs allowed: 51
Team Avg.: .219
Team Avg. allowed: .224
Team ERA: 3.26
Washington wins this series if...
Its pitching staff can continue the strong start it has had to start the season so far. Only allowing 51 runs through 12 games is an impressive accomplishment, regardless of the competition level. Now, though, the Huskies' pitching staff will face arguably the toughest test they've had to deal with so far.
Through their first 16 games the Longhorns are hitting .310 as a team with a Big 12-leading 32 home runs and 137 total runs scored. Simply put, they've shown they can mash when firing on all cylinders. So if the Huskies can slow them they down, there's a chance Washington leaves Austin with at least a series win.
Texas wins this series if...
It can keep the momentum rolling from its back-to-back wins over the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Incarnate Word Cardinals. And while they didn't sweep the Red Raiders, taking the series from a tough conference opponent on the road was a big step forward for Texas.
Now, the Longhorns need to keep that going against a strong Washington squad that's coming into town. The bats have seemingly woken up and started clicking while the bullpen is rounding into form as the season goes along. If they can keep that going against Washington, the Longhorns could send the Huskies packing with a series loss.
