Texas Longhorns Final '07 Rank: 17 46-17

The Longhorns had the game-winning run at the plate in the ninth inning against UCI in the Regional championship game, but were unable to capitalize and were eliminated from the NCAA Tournament in the Regional round for the second straight season. The loss finished Texas at 46-17 (21-6 Big 12). Look for that close loss, the reopening of renovated UFCU Disch-Falk Field and the return of national homerun leader Kyle Russell to spur to Longhorns back to title contention and make a return run to Omaha.

Texas received a huge boost to their title chances when All American outfielder Kyle Russell and All Big 12 catcher Preston Clark decided to return to campus instead of inking pro contracts. Russell launched 28 homeruns (a UT record), hit .336, had 71 RBI and added 10 stolen bases in his breakout season. For his effort he was named the Big 12 Player of the Year and was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth round. Clark hit .286 with 17 doubles, two triples, eight home runs and 45 RBI. He’s one of the nation’s top backstops and an increase to his offensive number in ’08 could make his decision to return to Austin extremely lucrative. Another offensive cog back on campus is junior outfielder Jordan Danks. Danks hit .332 with 63 runs, 24 extra base hits and was perfect on the basepaths in ’07, stealing 19 bases in 19 attempts. During the off season he traded his burnt orange jersey for red, white and blue, playing for the US National Baseball Team. A transfer who impressed in fall ball was former Fresno State shortstop, David Hernandez. The nimble sophomore transfer committed just two errors in a 107 chances last year for the Bulldogs. He batted a respectable .251, but has shown to be a better hitter than advertised in fall workouts.

Unfortunately for head coach Augie Garrido, Texas’ pitching staff didn’t receive the same reprieve as the offense did. Starters Adrian Alaniz (12-3, 2.59), James Russell (8-4, 3.86) and Joseph Krebs (9-1, 2.60) went a combined 29-8 for the 2007 ‘Horns and are now all pitching in the minor leagues. Furthermore, reliever Randy Boone (5-6, 2.52) finished his senior season and collegiate career with 14 of 15 of Texas’ saves. That leaves junior Austin Wood positioned to be UT’s number one and most experienced pitcher. Wood went 8-1 with a 3.25 ERA after transitioning from the bullpen where he led the team in saves (7) in 2006. Two BIG question marks going into the new season are the rehabilitation of promising pitchers Kenn Kasparek and Riley Boening. Both pitchers had to take last year off to recover from injuries. In 2006 Kasparek went 5-2 with a 3.80 as a sophomore, while Boening struck out 58 batters in 63.1 IP as a freshman and started 12 games. A big year from either pitcher could make a big impact on how far the Longhorns go into the postseason. Florida State transfer sophomore Casey Whitmer could factor heavily his first year in Austin and could be a weekend starter. He made 12 appearances for the Seminoles, going 1-0 with a 4.41 ERA and struck out over a batter an inning, fanning 17 foes in 14.1 innings. Lastly, another highly touted transfer is Brandon Belt. After playing his freshman season for the San Jacinto Junior College Gators, the former Red Sox 11th round draft pick is bringing his game to UT. He’s been hitting the mid-90s with his fastball and is a capable hitter who may crack the lineup at first base as well.