Longhorns Clinch Big 12 Title With Sweep of No. 6 West Virginia
The Texas Longhorns were not supposed to be this good again so soon. At least, that was what they heard all offseason. Projected to finish fourth in the conference, this was supposed to be a season meant to build towards 2024.
After all, replacing seven of nine starters from a historic offense, including the program's first Golden Spikes winner, was not going to be easy. Add in losing their staff ace, and it is not hard to see why expectations were tempered entering the season.
Then, they went 0-3 to start. And fell to 4-7. Suddenly, the question wasn't whether they could compete for a conference championship but if they would even make it to postseason play.
Now here we are 45 games later and all of those doubts, questions or concerns have been crumpled up and thrown in the trash. Despite a roller coaster of a season, the Longhorns are once again Big 12 champions.
The season included massive highs in a 16-game winning streak and major lows following a sweep at the hands of the Oklahoma Sooners, a sweep that could have rocked their confidence.
Instead, they roared right back to life and finished the season strong with series wins over TCU, Kansas and a finale sweep of West Virginia to clinch their 80th conference title, and 10th Big 12 title.
The sky's the limit for this Texas team. A potent offense with No. 1-6 in the lineup hitting over .300, buoyed by a pair of transfers in Garret Guillemette and Porter Brown batting cleanup and fifth. Dylan Campbell riding a 33-game hitting streak. Freshman Jared Thomas getting red hot in the leadoff hole followed by the sensational Peyton Powell.
On the mound Lucas Gordon has been the ace that was promised all season, pitching his way to a probable Big 12 Pitcher of the Year award. Behind him, Lebarron Johnson Jr. has been filthy and Tanner Witt continues to come back from Tommy John. Not to mention Travis Sthele and the rest of the bullpen.
Next up for the Longhorns, the Big 12 Tournament where they will enter with the No. 1 overall seed. They will look to keep the momentum rolling, with a strong showing in Arlington bolstering their case to host another regional.
You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98
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