TSU hopes to use speed to stun UT in NCAA baseball opener

AUSTIN. Texas — Nothing went right the first time around.

Texas Southern allowed 10 runs, committed three errors and left 11 men on base in a 10-2 loss to Texas on April 18 at Constellation Field in Sugar Land. But that was the last real shellacking coach Michael Robertson’s team endured.

In 15 games since that meeting, TSU (27-26) has outscored opponents 165-70, including 46-19 in a four-game SWAC tournament sweep. That high-octane production has generally been enough to offset a pitching staff that ranks as one of the nation’s worst.

Now TSU enters the Austin Regional as the No. 4 seed, and another matchup with Big 12 champion and No. 1 seed Texas (37-20) looms. The two meet Friday at Disch-Falk Field.

“When you look at Texas Southern, who we were matched up with down in Houston, this is a team that is a little different from the SWAC team you’ve seen in the past,” UT coach David Pierce said. “First of all, they’re older. They’re very physical and they can run. They are a very qualified four seed.

CONTINUE READING