David Pierce gives critique of replay call from Game 1 loss vs Notre Dame

One of the pivotal plays in Texas’ game against Notre Dame came in the fourth inning when the Fighting Irish’s Jack Brannigan was initially called out on a play at the plate. But the umpires reviewed it and overruled it — giving Notre Dame the momentum.

After the game, Texas coach David Pierce shared his thoughts on the play. He first pointed to a play at first base earlier in the game the Longhorns challenged and won. But the play at the plate, he said, didn’t seem as conclusive to him. He noted it changed the game, especially since Tristan Stevens balked in a run the next inning.

“The one at the plate, to me it looked very difficult to overturn,” Pierce said. “Just couldn’t see where they had enough or conclusive evidence to actually change the call. But evidently they did. And that was a factor, because we get out of the inning, potentially, and give up two instead of three.

“So you take the balk out of there, which was a communication issue. It was a call that they didn’t have the right communication on, and that’s from the field. So you take that run away, you take that play and it stands and it’s a 4-3 game. And maybe it’s different. But the review has been good. It’s been beneficial. It’s just unfortunate.”

Stevens further addressed the balk, which occurred when he faked a pickoff throw to third base. He reiterated it was a communication issue between himself and third baseman Skyler Messinger.

“Just miscommunication with me and Skylar,” Stevens said. “Just unfortunate, but just a miscommunication.”

David Pierce reveals difficulties for Texas in MCWS vs. Notre Dame

Texas now finds itself in the elimination bracket after a 7-3 loss to Notre Dame on Friday night. The Fighting Irish had everything going — and David Pierce saw some things the Longhorns need to fix before Sunday’s game.

Pierce met the media after the loss and mentioned Pete Hansen’s performance on the mound. He threw 4.1 innings and allowed nine hits and six runs while striking out five Notre Dame hitters. That, coupled with good pitching from Notre Dame, led to the defeat.

“I thought Notre Dame played really well, and they pitched really well,” Pierce said. “Pete struggled just getting to really arm side. And when he tried to go there, the ball was cut on him. But he competed. He just had way too much traffic and too many things happening that we just couldn’t overcome. We kind of minimized them to the one inning.

“And offensively they did a great job of just pitching hard in with both fastball and cutter and then mixing the change-up and occasional fastball away. So they deserved to win. I thought they were better than us tonight. And we’ll regroup, practice tomorrow, and bounce back before a Sunday game.”