First Pitch 2014-01-31

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friday, January 31, 2014 Back for more Longhorns return for senior season / page 4 WINES · SPIRITS · FINER FOODS TEXAS SUPERSTORE SM Cheers to Savings! ® LOCATIONS ALL ACROSS CENTRAL TEXAS (512) 366-8260 • specsonline.com Spec’s selection includes over 100 stores in Texas! Shop Spec’s for lower prices on our stadium-sized selection of wines, specialty beers, hard-to-find spirits and gourmet foods! OUR WE ALWAYS BRING A - Game.

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The Friday, January 31, 2014 edition of First Pitch, a publication of The Daily Texan

Transcript of First Pitch 2014-01-31

Page 1: First Pitch 2014-01-31

friday, January 31, 2014

Back for more

Longhorns return for senior season / page 4

1

WINES · SPIRITS · F INER FOODS

TE XAS SUPERSTORE SM

Cheers to Savings!®

LOCATIONS ALL ACROSS CENTRAL TEXAS(512) 366-8260 • specsonline.com

Spec’s selection includes over 100 stores in Texas!

Shop Spec’s for lower prices on our stadium-sized selection of wines, specialty beers, hard-to-find spirits and gourmet foods!

OURWE ALWAYS BRING

A-Game.

Page 2: First Pitch 2014-01-31

2 Friday, January 31, 2014

Last season was one to for-get for the Longhorns.

In his 45th season at the helm, head coach Augie Gar-rido had his second-worst season ever, as his team sat at the bottom of the Big 12.

The Longhorns managed their third-worst campaign since the creation of the Southwest Conference in 1915.

But this year’s team isn’t worried about 2013.

“Last year is in the past, like it never happened,” sophomore shortstop C.J. Hinojosa said. “We are here and focused on team 120 — the 120th team at Texas.”

And from the outside, 2014 is shaping up to be an intriguing one. Baseball America ranked Texas No. 18 in its preseason poll; Col-legiate Baseball Newspaper at No. 20.

“We’ve worked on team-work and allowing each

By Evan Berkowitz@Evan_Berkowitz

Texas head coach Au-gie Garrido’s small-ball ap-proach is all about commit-ting oneself to the good of the team. There’s no room for selfishness or entitlement.

Last season, the Long-horns (27-24-1) missed the postseason for the second consecutive year, some-thing unheard of in Gar-rido’s time at the helm. In an off-season filled with changes, the coach made sure to address the sense of entitlement that seemed to plague last year’s team.

“Making change is always a challenge for anyone,” Garrido said. “Changes needed to be made, and they have been made, and now the players are con-centrating on being players instead of crossing into the coaching field.”

The attitude of last year’s team caused a lack of focus, in the offense especially. Fif-teen of Texas’ 24 losses were by two runs or less, reveal-ing the team’s inability to win close games.

“We mastered the art of losing the one-run game,” Garrido said. “Losing is al-most like winning. The dif-ference is in winning you do the right thing at the right time, in losing you have to do the right thing at the wrong time. What is going to be different this year is their attitude.”

Although Texas averaged just over three runs per game last season, it com-bined for 61 more hits and an on-base percentage .41 points higher than its op-ponents, which makes its inability to score runs more puzzling. If you ask the Tex-as hitters, though, what’s past is past.

“Last year is over with.,” sophomore C.J. Hinojosa said. “We don’t talk about last year. “We just came in with a new slate. We know it’s grind time and we came in here ready to work.”

And with its two top hit-ters — seniors Mark Payton and Hinojosa — returning this season, Texas has the leadership to bring a team of veterans and newcomers together.

“That’s our job as seniors and as leaders: to show the younger guys how to take care of business,” Payton said. “It didn’t happen lately, but it’s our turn to show these guys the right way to play.”

Texas must hope its new commitment to preparation

will translate to the score-board this season, bringing the program back to promi-nence in the process.

“I think the difference has a lot to do with our off-season, the work that we put in,” senior Nathan Thornhill said. “We had to

earn our way back over in the locker room for exam-ple and we have to earn ev-erything. Doing that we’re going to have, I don’t want to use last year’s terminol-ogy, but we are closer be-cause we went through a lot of stuff together this fall.”

By Matt Warden@TheMattWarden5

Preparation, attitude key to turnaround

Guillermo Hernandez / Daily Texan file photoSenior center fielder Weston Hall lays down a bunt. Bunts and other sacrifice hits have be-come commonplace under head coach Augie Garrido’s rule at Texas. Garrido attributes part of last season’s struggles to his players’ unwillingness to buy into his small-ball approach.

Chelsea PurgahnDaily Texan file

photo

Head coach Augie Garrido

had one of his worst season as

the Longhorns’ coach last sea-

son. He’s hoping for better results

this year.

Longhorns to rely on veteran pitching staff in 2014

STAFF

Friday, January 31, 2014

EditorStefan Scrafield

Photo EditorPu Ying Huang

Design EditorJack Mitts

Copy EditorsBrett DonohoeReeana Keenen

Kevin SharifiSara Reinsch

Writers

Evan BerkowitzMatt Warden

Jacob MartellaScarlett Smith

Editor’s Note

COVER PHOTONo. 36 Nathan Thornhill

Shelby TauberDaily Texan file photo 120 page 3

#40 Taylor StellLeft Field

Texas’ baseball and softball teams are com-ing off different seasons. The men are looking to bounce back after one of the worst seasons in pro-gram history. The women are hoping for a repeat of last season’s World Se-ries run. First Pitch is here to get you up to speed on what to expect from this year’s teams before their seasons start in early February.

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Page 3: First Pitch 2014-01-31

Friday, January 31, 2014 3

other to trust everyone and have everybody’s back,” Hinojosa said. “Everyone wants to be here early and leave late. That’s something that has changed, and it’s going to improve a lot of things.”

The biggest strength of last season’s team — the pitching staff — returns with eight pitchers. The en-tire weekend rotation from

last season’s team, which an-chored a Texas staff that fin-ished seventh in the nation with a 2.61 ERA, returns. Juniors Parker French and Dillon Peters and senior Na-than Thornhill are all back for another shot at the Col-lege World Series.

“It’s refreshing,” Peters said. “We all know what our role is going to be. We’ve all prepared in the offseason and especially in the fall to con-tribute to wins this spring. We’re going to get after it the

same way we got after it last year and just produce for our team and keep as many runs off the board as we can.”

While the pitching staff shut down opponents last year, the offense struggled to score runs. During league play, the Longhorns batted just .234 — putting them last in the conference — and scored 23 runs fewer than the next worst team in the Big 12.

“It’s all about producing [runs],” All-Big 12 senior

Mark Payton said. “It’s go-ing through Coach Gar-rido’s philosophy of offense, and that’s what we need to do. We’ve got the great-est coach in the world and all the tools we need. We just need to put it into the games this year.”

For Garrido, the men-tal approach is the biggest change on a team where the weekend rotation and seven offensive starters return.

“We spent all fall attack-ing what I think was our

number-one problem from last year, and that is the word ‘entitlement’,’” Garrido said. “We didn’t take as much time playing catch or taking bat-ting practice as we did focus-ing on the mental parts of it all.”

Garrido’s main focus was on teamwork.

“They have been tested, and the weaker and more self-centered mentalities are gone,” Garrido said. “Talent is important, but it does not end up winning the game.

Teamwork ends up winning the game.”

Garrido doesn’t want to feel the same way as he did last season.

“The standard for Texas Baseball hasn’t been met in the last two years, and it isn’t acceptable,” Garrido said. “And, until those standards are met, it is a substandard performance and we don’t intend to be a part of that.”

So far, it’s working.“Unscored upon so far,”

Garrido said with a chuckle.

120continues from page 2

#8 Brooks Marlow Second Base

#12 Jacob FeltsDesignated Hitter

#2 Mark PaytonRight Fielder

#9 C.J. HinojosaShortstop

#11 Alex SilverFirst Base

#1 Tres BarreraCatcher

#7 Weston HallCenter Fielder

#5 Andy McGuireThird Base

#24 Parker FrenchStarting Pitcher

#40 Taylor StellLeft Field

Projected Starting Lineup

Illustration by Cody Bubenik / Daily Texan Staff

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Page 4: First Pitch 2014-01-31

4 Friday, January 31, 2014 5

For the second time in his young career, outfielder Mark Payton faced the tough decision of whether to go pro or stay in school.

The Cleveland Indians selected him in the 16th round last summer — 15 rounds higher than where the Minne-sota Twins drafted the smooth-hitting outfielder in 2010. He was an “intriguing prospect,” according to Baseball America. At 5-feet-8-inches, he is undersized, not very fast and probably more suited for an infield position, were he not a lefty. He does the little things well, but the 16th round may be as high as he ever goes.

“It was tough,” Payton said. “I love playing at Texas and I was fortunate enough to get an opportunity to go professional.”

He was coming off a career year heading into the draft. His .393 batting average led the Big 12 and put him No. 12 in the nation last year. But the decision was about more than that. It was about being a Longhorn — some-thing he wasn’t quite ready to give up on.

“I know I made the right decision to return and put this jersey on for one last time,” Payton said. “It’s every kid’s dream to wear this jersey.”

Considering Payton’s offense struggled last season, as he hit just .260, his return is important, and head coach Augie Garrido knows that.

“We are thrilled to have Mark Payton coming back for his senior year,” Garrido said. “His experience and lead-ership will play a key role in getting us back to winning championships at the University of Texas.”

He, Erich Weiss — who opted to sign with the Pirates — and sophomore shortstop C.J. Hinojosa anchored the lineup last season. The three of them drove in 45 percent of Texas’ runs, but Payton doesn’t feel he has to carry the offense.

“I don’t feel that pressure,” Payton said. “It’s about being confident and doing t h e little things right. That’s what baseball i s about. Things didn’t fall our way last year. This is a new season, though.”

But it was Payton who really kept the offense afloat last season. The unani-mous All-Big 12 selection led the team in hits, doubles, triples, RBI, walks and total bases. But he doesn’t care about the indi-vidual stats, reaching the elusive .400 plateau or the name on the back of the jersey. Rather, he cares about the name on the front of the jersey.

“Breaking .400 is not a goal,” Payton said. “My goal is going out and winning games.”

More than likely influenced by Garrido’s way of thinking, Payton knows there’s more to the game than just stepping in the box and hacking away.

“I just got to go out there and play our game,” Payton said. “It’s all about playing hard and do-ing the right thing. You’ll get rewarded.”

With the season quickly approaching, Pay-ton is ready to get out there one last time.

“I’m anxious to get back out there and get the season go-ing,” Payton said. “Texas baseball is one of the biggest pro-grams known and we need to get it back to where we belong.”

For Nathan Thornhill, the wins don’t tell the whole story.The senior returns as one of the three weekend starters

for the Longhorns this season after finishing his junior campaign with a deceptive 3-6 record in 13 starts. De-spite his lack of wins, his stellar 2.21 ERA reveals just how dominant he was.

Texas averaged just over three runs per game last sea-son, losing many close games in the process. This lack of run support didn’t change Thornhill’s mind set on the mound, though.

“It’s a part of the game [the lack of run support],” Thornhill said. “As a pitcher, I can’t do what those guys do. It’s hard for me to point fingers at somebody if I couldn’t do any better, and last year had a lot of ups and downs, but I’m not really worried about that.”

Despite the unimpressive number of wins, MLB scouts noticed Thornhill’s ability. After being drafted by the Houston Astros in the 24th round of the MLB Draft last year, Thornhill chose to return to school to finish what he started at Texas. Passing up the pros can weigh on a player’s performance, but Thornhill is focused on his last run as a Longhorn.

“Obviously, with the whole draft, you just don’t worry about it,” Thornhill said. “You understand how it goes on and what you can control. All you can control is your performance on the field and what you do to make sure you’re prepared to play. This year for us it’s all about, ‘Hey

this is our last go around here at Texas, let’s get it back on track.’”

Command of the strike zone was the key to Thornhill’s success last season, allowing him to lead the team with the fewest walks (15) and most strikeouts (60). But just as the hitters have worked tirelessly to improve their swings, Thornhill has been working on new pitches to add to his repertoire.

“Actually, in my bullpen the other day, it’s the best it’s been,” Thornhill said. “Even the changeup and curveball, they are getting better as the rest come. Those are all field pitches, and the fastball is always going to be something you can spot and as a pitcher here you have to, or you don’t pitch.”

Preparation is everything, but, in baseball, supersti-tion can be perceived to be just as important. Thornhill doesn’t fit that stereotype.

“I don’t really have anything, except I do the same rou-tine every day that I start,” Thornhill said. “It’s not really a superstition but everything is the same. That’s the closest thing to superstition that I have. It’s nothing that’s weird.”

With great tools and a laser focus, Thornhill could have easily gone to the next level, but he stayed. With him on the mound, the Longhorns’ chances of forming that dog pile in Omaha, Neb., will be much greater this season.

“We are thrilled to have [Thornhill] back for the 2014 season,” pitching coach Skip Johnson said. “Having him back is a huge boost to our pitching staff. We feel like this pitching staff will have a great mix of leadership, experi-ence, talent and dedication.”

Draft evasion: Horns pass on MLBThornhill returns as staff ace

Payton comes back for one last run at College World Series

Mark Payton / Senior outfielder

Nathan Thornhill /Senior pitcher

I know I made the right decision to return and put this jersey on for one last time. It’s every kid’s dream to wear this jersey.

—Mark Payton, Senior outfilelder

2013 stats

AVG. .39327

29

.545

70

.483

Runs

RBI

SLG

Hits

OBP

Mark PaytonGS 13

3-6

2.21

15

86.2

60

W/L

ERA

BB

IP

K

Nathan Thornhill

By Evan Berkowitz@Evan_Berkowitz

By Matt Warden@TheMattWarden5

Page 5: First Pitch 2014-01-31

4 Friday, January 31, 2014 5

For the second time in his young career, outfielder Mark Payton faced the tough decision of whether to go pro or stay in school.

The Cleveland Indians selected him in the 16th round last summer — 15 rounds higher than where the Minne-sota Twins drafted the smooth-hitting outfielder in 2010. He was an “intriguing prospect,” according to Baseball America. At 5-feet-8-inches, he is undersized, not very fast and probably more suited for an infield position, were he not a lefty. He does the little things well, but the 16th round may be as high as he ever goes.

“It was tough,” Payton said. “I love playing at Texas and I was fortunate enough to get an opportunity to go professional.”

He was coming off a career year heading into the draft. His .393 batting average led the Big 12 and put him No. 12 in the nation last year. But the decision was about more than that. It was about being a Longhorn — some-thing he wasn’t quite ready to give up on.

“I know I made the right decision to return and put this jersey on for one last time,” Payton said. “It’s every kid’s dream to wear this jersey.”

Considering Payton’s offense struggled last season, as he hit just .260, his return is important, and head coach Augie Garrido knows that.

“We are thrilled to have Mark Payton coming back for his senior year,” Garrido said. “His experience and lead-ership will play a key role in getting us back to winning championships at the University of Texas.”

He, Erich Weiss — who opted to sign with the Pirates — and sophomore shortstop C.J. Hinojosa anchored the lineup last season. The three of them drove in 45 percent of Texas’ runs, but Payton doesn’t feel he has to carry the offense.

“I don’t feel that pressure,” Payton said. “It’s about being confident and doing t h e little things right. That’s what baseball i s about. Things didn’t fall our way last year. This is a new season, though.”

But it was Payton who really kept the offense afloat last season. The unani-mous All-Big 12 selection led the team in hits, doubles, triples, RBI, walks and total bases. But he doesn’t care about the indi-vidual stats, reaching the elusive .400 plateau or the name on the back of the jersey. Rather, he cares about the name on the front of the jersey.

“Breaking .400 is not a goal,” Payton said. “My goal is going out and winning games.”

More than likely influenced by Garrido’s way of thinking, Payton knows there’s more to the game than just stepping in the box and hacking away.

“I just got to go out there and play our game,” Payton said. “It’s all about playing hard and do-ing the right thing. You’ll get rewarded.”

With the season quickly approaching, Pay-ton is ready to get out there one last time.

“I’m anxious to get back out there and get the season go-ing,” Payton said. “Texas baseball is one of the biggest pro-grams known and we need to get it back to where we belong.”

For Nathan Thornhill, the wins don’t tell the whole story.The senior returns as one of the three weekend starters

for the Longhorns this season after finishing his junior campaign with a deceptive 3-6 record in 13 starts. De-spite his lack of wins, his stellar 2.21 ERA reveals just how dominant he was.

Texas averaged just over three runs per game last sea-son, losing many close games in the process. This lack of run support didn’t change Thornhill’s mind set on the mound, though.

“It’s a part of the game [the lack of run support],” Thornhill said. “As a pitcher, I can’t do what those guys do. It’s hard for me to point fingers at somebody if I couldn’t do any better, and last year had a lot of ups and downs, but I’m not really worried about that.”

Despite the unimpressive number of wins, MLB scouts noticed Thornhill’s ability. After being drafted by the Houston Astros in the 24th round of the MLB Draft last year, Thornhill chose to return to school to finish what he started at Texas. Passing up the pros can weigh on a player’s performance, but Thornhill is focused on his last run as a Longhorn.

“Obviously, with the whole draft, you just don’t worry about it,” Thornhill said. “You understand how it goes on and what you can control. All you can control is your performance on the field and what you do to make sure you’re prepared to play. This year for us it’s all about, ‘Hey

this is our last go around here at Texas, let’s get it back on track.’”

Command of the strike zone was the key to Thornhill’s success last season, allowing him to lead the team with the fewest walks (15) and most strikeouts (60). But just as the hitters have worked tirelessly to improve their swings, Thornhill has been working on new pitches to add to his repertoire.

“Actually, in my bullpen the other day, it’s the best it’s been,” Thornhill said. “Even the changeup and curveball, they are getting better as the rest come. Those are all field pitches, and the fastball is always going to be something you can spot and as a pitcher here you have to, or you don’t pitch.”

Preparation is everything, but, in baseball, supersti-tion can be perceived to be just as important. Thornhill doesn’t fit that stereotype.

“I don’t really have anything, except I do the same rou-tine every day that I start,” Thornhill said. “It’s not really a superstition but everything is the same. That’s the closest thing to superstition that I have. It’s nothing that’s weird.”

With great tools and a laser focus, Thornhill could have easily gone to the next level, but he stayed. With him on the mound, the Longhorns’ chances of forming that dog pile in Omaha, Neb., will be much greater this season.

“We are thrilled to have [Thornhill] back for the 2014 season,” pitching coach Skip Johnson said. “Having him back is a huge boost to our pitching staff. We feel like this pitching staff will have a great mix of leadership, experi-ence, talent and dedication.”

Draft evasion: Horns pass on MLBThornhill returns as staff ace

Payton comes back for one last run at College World Series

Mark Payton / Senior outfielder

Nathan Thornhill /Senior pitcher

I know I made the right decision to return and put this jersey on for one last time. It’s every kid’s dream to wear this jersey.

—Mark Payton, Senior outfilelder

2013 stats

AVG. .39327

29

.545

70

.483

Runs

RBI

SLG

Hits

OBP

Mark PaytonGS 13

3-6

2.21

15

86.2

60

W/L

ERA

BB

IP

K

Nathan Thornhill

By Evan Berkowitz@Evan_Berkowitz

By Matt Warden@TheMattWarden5

Page 6: First Pitch 2014-01-31

6 Friday, January 31, 2014

As a junior at Vista Ridge high school in Cedar Park, Taylor Thom led her team to the 2009 UIL State Semi-final game at Red McCombs Field in Austin. The Lady Rangers lost 3-0 to Pearland in a close contest.

Fast-forward four years to 2013 when Thom found herself in the postseason at the College World Se-ries in a semifinal matchup against No. 1 Oklahoma. The Longhorns would lose that game 10-2 to the Sooners, who would go on to beat Tennessee and become the World Series champions.

“Going to the World Se-ries is still my favorite team memory,” Thom said.

Now, preparing for her

final campaign as a Long-horn, Thom looks to build on a record-setting junior season with a new sup-porting cast of young fac-es. One of just four seniors on a team that includes 13 underclassmen, Thom is the undisputed veteran with more experience to speak of than several other players combined. This past summer, Thom was a member of the 2013 USA Women’s National Team, where she competed on the international stage — as well as in the World Cup — with former teammate Taylor Hoagland.

“It was amazing getting to play with such incredible softball players,” Thom said. “Traveling all over the coun-try and the world — it was such a great experience and I thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Recently named to the preseason Top 50 “Watch List” for the 2014 USA Softball National Colle-giate Player of the Year Award, Thom ranks near the top in nearly every major category in the Tex-as records book. She cur-rently sits fourth in RBIs (135), seventh in doubles (37), eighth in runs scored (122) and ninth in home runs (28). In her final year as a Longhorn, Thom will look to match her histor-ic senior season at Vista Ridge where she posted a .528 batting average with 50 runs scored, 21 RBIs, 15 doubles and 34 stolen bases.

Coming off a team-high 15-home-run season, the hard-hitting shortstop has the ability to change the game with one swing of the

bat and is always a threat at the plate.

Perhaps the most decorat-ed player on the team, Thom is confident about the pros-pects of this year’s group.

“We definitely lost some key players last year, but we have some good ones that are going to be able and come in and fill that hole that needs to be filled,” Thom said. “I think we are looking great and I am excit-ed to see how our first game against LSU goes.”

Whether the Long-horns can return to the World Series remains to be seen, as a tough con-ference schedule — which includes No. 1 Oklahoma and No. 16 Baylor — lies ahead. But if Thom’s se-nior year at Vista Ridge is any indication, her best season is still ahead of her.

The Longhorns had the plea-sure of watching pitcher Blaire Luna dominate opponents the last four years. In her time in Austin, Luna had 1,428 strike-outs and eight no-hitters, in-cluding one in last year’s post-season that sent Texas to the Women’s College World Series.

But, with Luna now an alumna, the Longhorns are going to have to fill her void at the most important posi-tion in the field.

“Fast pitch softball revolves around the pitcher,” head coach Connie Clark said. “It’s an important part of the suc-cess of the team. We have to pass that baton on.”

Texas has four pitchers on the roster this year, and even though Clark said they will give each pitcher a look in their non-conference sched-ule, the favorite to take on the ace role is junior Gabby Smith.

Smith has pitched in 21 games with 40 strikeouts in her collegiate career, but she worked this offseason know-ing that she would have to help fill the hole left by Luna.

“This summer I wanted to get better and be the pitcher we needed,” Smith said. “I played

in a league and really got some more pitching time that I didn’t really have my first two years. So that got my confidence up.”

During the fall season, Smith was able to translate her summer work into re-sults on the field, striking out 20 batters while allowing only one hit and no runs in 13 innings pitched.

Smith said she has learned a lot from Luna during the past couple of years.

“She still lives here in Aus-tin, and we’ll still pitch to-gether, and she’ll give me a few pointers on spins and stuff like that,” Smith said. “She’s always been there to help me.”

Pitching staff tasked with replacing Luna

Shweta Gulati / Daily Texan file photoTexas will be forced to adapt to playing without former superstar pitcher Blaire Luna this year. Luna graduated last spring.

By Jacob Martella@ViewFromTheBox

Shelby Tauber / Daily Texan file photoSenior Taylor Thom is the unquestioned leader of this year’s Longhorn squad. Texas will rely on Thom’s big bat to drive in runs on the field, and, with three years of collegiate experience, expect her to mentor some of the younger players.

By Scarlett Smith@ScarlettRSmith1

Fast pitch softball revolves around the pitcher. It’s an im-portant part of the success of the team. We have to pass that baton on.

—Connie Clark, Head coach

PITCHING page 7

Thom ready to assume leadership role

6

Page 7: First Pitch 2014-01-31

Friday, January 31, 2014 7

Stephanie Wong has been preparing for this moment her whole life.

When the No. 10 Texas Longhorns take the field for their home opener on Feb. 12, it will be Wong’s first time wearing burnt orange.

“It is really fun and really in-tense,” Wong said of the transi-tion to college ball. “It is a lot different than what I am used to in high school, a lot faster paced but really exciting.”

Growing up in the Cen-tral Texas area, where she spent four years as the starting shortstop at West-lake High School, Wong attended many Longhorn softball games through-out her youth. Watching three-time National Player of the Year Cat Oster-man pitch the Longhorns all the way to the College World Series is one of her many memories.

One of seven freshmen on this year’s roster, Wong figures to be a key contribu-tor on a squad without ace pitcher Blaire Luna or stand-out third baseman Taylor Hoagland, who both gradu-ated last spring.

A slap hitter of slight build, Wong brings a mix of

quickness and athleticism to a lineup already dotted with speedsters in Taylor Thom and Brejae Washington. Wong likens her style of play to a 2008 U.S. Olympian’s.

“I watched Caitlin Lowe a lot,” Wong said. “She is fast and a slap hitter, so I tried to emulate her.”

Following a storied career at Westlake, where she was a three-time All-State selec-tion and earned a spot in the TGCA is All-Star game as a senior, Wong joins Texas

teammate, Thom, as the hometown favorites. But the two share more than lo-cal roots. Both Thom and Wong previously played for the Texas Blaze Gold select team, along with Luna, and both pose a threat on the base paths.

Compared to last year’s team that was anchored by dominant pitching and ex-perience, the 2014 crop of Longhorns are a notably youthful bunch, with only six upperclassmen on the roster.

“It is really fun having all the freshmen along with me,” Wong said. “The up-perclassmen do a good job of telling us what to do and how things go.”

Despite a relative lack of collective experience, the Longhorns expect to defend their preseason No. 10 rank-ing and compete well into the postseason.

“My personal goal is to get as much playing time on the field as possible,” Wong said. “As a team, we want to

make it back to the College World Series.”

The Longhorns also have sophomore Holly Kern who is the only other returning pitcher. Last year, Kern had a 7-3 record and a 2.74 earned run average in 15 games.

In addition to Smith and Kern, two freshmen round out the pitching rotation for Texas. Lauren Slattern struck out nine and gave up only four hits and no runs in 12.1 innings and Tiara Davis al-lowed one earned run on 10 hits in 10.1 innings this fall.

Clark said Smith has set her-self apart from the rest of the group, but she’s giving the whole staff some playing time early on to see who emerges as the ace.

“We’ll be using all four of them to give them experience in a game,” Clark said. “From there, we’ll make a decision.”

While the pitching staff may be short on experience, the Longhorns do have an advan-tage at catcher. Senior Mandy Ogle handled the pitch-calling duties last year and — as the leader on the Texas defense — hopes she’ll be able to help the young staff develop.

“Having Ogle be able to work with the pitching staff is a big plus for us,” Clark said.

Smith admitted that it will be difficult for them to fill Luna’s spot on the field, but it’s some-thing they’re looking forward to.

“Taking over Blaire’s spot, that’s something we’re going to embrace,” Smith said.

Wong adds to Horns’ hometown feelBy Scarlett Smith

@ScarlettRSmith1

Players to watch

Shelby TauberDaily Texan Staff

Freshman Steph-anie Wong has always dreamed of taking Red and Charline Mc-Combs Field as a Longhorn. She’ll get a chance to realize her dream in Texas’ home opener on Jan. 12th.

Taylor Thom Senior

Mandy OgleSenior

Gabby SmithJunior

#11 Taylor Thom, SS #5 Mandy Ogle, C # 18 Gabby Smith, P/UTIL

Thom, Texas’ top return-ing player from last year’s team, will be expected to produce runs and serve as a role model for the under-classmen that make up the majority of this year’s team.

As the leader of the de-fense, it will be Ogle’s re-sponsibility to mentor Tex-as’ inexperienced pitching staff and help keep runs off the board.

With Luna gone, Smith is most likely to be sad-dled with the tough task of filling in her shoes. Time will tell if she’s up to the challenge.

It is a lot different than what I am used to in high school, a lot faster paced but really exciting.

—Stephanie Wong, Freshman shortstop

PITCHINGcontinues from page 6

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Page 8: First Pitch 2014-01-31

8 Friday, January 31, 2014

2/1/2014

2/15/2014

2/18/2014

2/22/2014

2/25/2014

3/1/2014

3/4/2014

3/8/2014

3/11/2014

3/15/2014

3/18/2014

3/22/2014

3/25/2014

3/29/2014

2/14/2014

2/16/2014

2/21/2014

2/23/2014

2/28/2014

3/2/2014

3/7/2014

3/9/2014

3/14/2014

3/16/2014

3/21/2014

3/23/2014

3/28/2014

3/30/20144/1/2014

4/5/2014

4/8/2014

4/12/2014

4/15/2014

4/18/2014

4/22/2014

4/26/2014

5/3/2014

5/17/2014

4/29/2014

5/13/2014

5/21/2014-5/25/2014

4/4/2014

4/6/2014

4/11/2014

4/13/2014

4/17/2014

4/19/2014

4/25/2014

4/27/2014

5/4/2014

5/18/2014

5/2/2014

5/16/2014

LSUNorth Carolina

Louisiana - Lafayette

Purdue

Kentucky

Louisiana Tech

vs. matched seed

Cal Poly

Fresno StCalifornia

Southern Mississippi

Luisiana at Monroe

Houston

WashingtonMichigan

North Texas (DH)

Iowa

HoustonBaylor

TAMU Corpus Christi

Texas Tech

Texas Tech

Iowa State

Oklahoma

Oklahoma State

Kansas

Oklahoma

Oklahoma State

BaylorRegionals & Super Regionals

Louisiana - Lafayette

Northern Iowa

UTSA

IPFW

vs. matched seed

UNLV

Washington

Luisiana at Monroe

Texas Southern

Texas Southern

Arizona State

Long Beach State

Iowa

Iowa

Baylor

Texas State

Texas Tech

Iowa State

Iowa State

Oklahoma

Oklahoma State

Kansas

Texas State

Kansas

Oklahoma City, Okla.

Austin, Texas

Berkely, Calif.

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Houston, Texas

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

San Marcos, Texas

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Lubbock, Texas

Houston, Texas

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Norman Okla.

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Morgantown, W.V.

Manhattan, Kansas

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Berkely, Calif.

Berkely, Calif.

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Houston, Texas

Houston, Texas

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Lubbock, Texas

Lubbock, Texas

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Norman Okla.

Norman Okla.

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Morgantown, W.V.

Manhattan, Kansas

Morgantown, W.V.

Manhattan, Kansas

Baton Rouge, La.

Lafayette, La.

Lafayette, La.

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Lafayette, La.

Lafayette, La.

Lafayette, La.

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Austin, TexasPalm Springs, Calif.

Palm Springs, Calif.

Palm Springs, Calif.

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Fullerton, Calif.

Fullerton, Calif.

Fullerton, Calif.

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Waco, Texas

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Ames, Iowa

Norman, Okla.

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Norman, Okla.

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

TBD

Palm Springs, Calif.

Palm Springs, Calif.

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Fullerton, Calif.

Fullerton, Calif.

Denton, Texas

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Waco, Texas

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

Ames, Iowa

Ames, Iowa

Norman, Okla.

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas

San Marcos, Texas

Austin, Texas

2/6/2014

2/7/2014

2/8/2014

2/12/2014

2/14/2014

2/15/2014

2/20/2014

2/21/2014

2/23/2014

2/28/2014

3/1/2014

3/6/2014

3/8/2014

3/9/2014

3/15/2014

3/17/2014

3/22/2014

3/26/2014

4/4/2014

4/6/2014

4/12/2014

4/17/2014

4/25/2014

5/3/2014

4/19/2014

4/27/2014

5/11/20145/11/2014-5/23/2014

2/7/2014

2/8/2014

2/9/2014

2/14/2014

2/15/2014

2/16/2014

2/20/2014

2/22/2014

2/28/2014

3/1/2014

3/2/2014

3/7/2014

3/8/2014

3/11/2014

3/16/2014

3/19/2014

3/23/2014

4/2/2014

4/5/2014

4/11/2014

4/13/2014

4/18/2014

4/26/2014

5/4/2014

4/23/2014

5/2/2014

Noon

3 p.m., 6:45 p.m.

6 p.m.

2 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

3:35 p.m.

6 p.m.

1 p.m., 4:45 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

1 p.m.

6 p.m.

2 p.m.

6 p.m.

2 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

6 p.m.

4 p.m.

6 p.m.

6 p.m.

6 p.m.

1 p.m.

3 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6 p.m.

6 p.m.

9 p.m.

3 p.m.

6 p.m.

1 p.m.

7:05 p.m.

10:05 p.m.

6 p.m.

1 p.m.

6 p.m.

1 p.m.

6 p.m.

Noon

6:30 p.m.

2 p.m.

7 p.m.

2:30 p.m.

6 p.m.

2:30 p.m.

6 p.m.

4 p.m.

7 p.m.

2 p.m.

Noon

1 p.m.

TBD

5 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

4 p.m.

12:30 p.m.

12:30 p.m.

11 a.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

10 p.m.

4 p.m.

4 p.m.

7 p.m.

2 p.m.

7 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

Noon

Noon

8 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

3 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

11:30 a.m.

1 p.m.

TBD

11:30 a.m.

4:30 p.m.

9 a.m.

4 p.m.

1 p.m.

10 a.m.

3 p.m.

11:30 a.m.

4 p.m.

1 p.m.

2 p.m.

Noon

Noon

4 p.m., 6 p.m.

4 p.m.

7 p.m.

6 p.m.

7 p.m.

4 p.m.

4 p.m.

Noon

6:30 p.m.

4 p.m.

1 p.m.

6 p.m.

7 p.m.

Baseball

2014 Schedules

SoftballAlumni Game

California (DH)

Texas A&M- CC

Stanford

UT-Pan American

Houston

Valparaiso

Hawaii

Texas State

Kansas

Dallas Baptist

Columbia

Texas State

Texas TechTexas Tech

California

California

Stanford

Stanford

Rice

Sam Houston State

Hawaii

Hawaii

Kansas

Kansas

Columbia

Columbia

Texas Tech

RiceBaylorBaylorBaylorRiceOklahoma

Oklahoma

TCU

TCU

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

West Virginia

West Virginia

Kansas State

Kansas State

Oklahoma

UT-Arlington

TCU

UT-Pan American

Oklahoma

Prairie View A&M

West Virginia

Texas State

Kansas State

Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship

8