Longhorns Notebook: No. 15 Texas Stifled, Falls to No. 3 LSU 6-3
HOUSTON -- The matchup between the No. 15 Texas Longhorns (7-2) and the No. 3 LSU Tigers (9-1) was one of the most anticipated games across the nation, and for good reason. Two of the best teams so far this season and two of the most storied programs in the sport.
However, it was a performance the Longhorns erased from their memory the second the final out was recorded. It was a pitcher's duel through the third inning before Lebarron Johnson Jr. ran into some trouble, ultimately giving up two runs.
From there, the floodgates eventually opened as the Tigers launched two seventh-inning home runs to break the game open and run away with the contest, ending Texas' winning streak.
Now, here are three key takeaways from the Longhorns' 6-3 loss to the Tigers.
One-man lineup
Of course there are nine men in a lineup, that's just one of the simplicities of baseball. However, if you watched Friday night's matchup between the Longhorns and Tigers you would come away asking yourself one glaring question -- where was the rest of Texas' lineup?
Peyton Powell continued his torrid start to the season, going 3-for-4 at the plate with a pair of doubles. Aside from that, though, nothing from the Longhorns. The rest of the lineup combined for four hits with 20 strikeouts. Two of those hits were a solo home run from Kimble Schuessler and two-run double from Casey Borba to produce all of Texas' runs.
One game does not mean doom and gloom, but if the Longhorns' lineup looks this lost against the upcoming slate of games? It won't be pretty, folks.
Witt's promising performance
Undoubtedly one of the biggest question marks entering the season that the Longhorns needed to answer was how would Tanner Witt look? After his first start of the season against San Diego saw him only last one inning, there were mild concerns from some.
His second appearance was smoother, coming in to get the final three outs of Texas' blowout win over St. John's. Facing LSU, the pitcher continued to show progress on the mound. He gave the Longhorns two innings of shutout baseball, allowing just one hit and striking out one.
It was a second straight strong showing from Witt, and one that Texas hopes to see him continue to build on.
Focus and regroup
Losing sucks, no other way to put it. Especially when you get smacked in the mouth by a team that was ultimately just the better team. When that happens, however, you have one of two options. You can dwell on it or dust it off and bounce back the next day.
For the Longhorns' sake, they have to hope that the latter is what comes. LSU is a dangerous team and clearly one of the best in the country. Pair that with the game of baseball being wholly unpredictable and sometimes random and, well, nights like Friday happen.
Now Texas needs to get back to its hotel, rest and come out Saturday ready to fire on all cylinders.
What's next for Texas?
The Longhorns will look to bounce back from a tough loss and get back in the win column on Saturday afternoon as they take on the Texas State Bobcats in the Astros Foundation College Classic at 3 p.m. CT.