Texas searching for reliable bullpen options ahead of the NCAA tournament

As Texas embarks on its 62nd appearance in the NCAA tournament, David Pierce’s club continues to look for reliability out of the bullpen.

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The Longhorns have well-placed confidence in No. 1 starter Lucas Gordon and No. 2 arm Lebarron Johnson. Plus, in recent weeks, the Sunday combination of Tanner Witt opening for Travis Sthele has produced solid performances.

Outside of those four, there are more questions than answers for a bullpen that has been volatile all season.

Worse for the Longhorns is they’ll be without three relievers — Heston Tole, David Shaw, and DJ Burke — who combined to pitch 80 innings this season. Tole and Shaw were described by Pierce as unavailable on Monday, while Burke recently entered the transfer portal.

So what’s left for Pierce and pitching coach Woody Williams?

“We still have some big arms such as Zane (Morehouse), who had a good outing the other day,” Pierce said Monday. “(Travis) Sthele has shown some signs of some really plus innings. Finishing innings is key for him. Charlie Hurley has got a big arm. He’s got to really throw the ball in the middle of the plate and let it work. Those three guys, I think, are so critical.”

After those three, Pierce will have to dig deeper into his bullpen than he might prefer, especially in postseason play. He expressed optimism for the available options, including two southpaws who could see more than just situational work.

“Then, the continuation of Andre Duplantier. He threw really well two days ago in squad, and (we’ll) see if he can fit into that role,” Pierce said. “Then you have two reliable left handers in (Ace Whitehead) and Chase Lummus. Chase has been really solid. Matching those guys potentially, or bridging, is going to be very critical for us, then utilizing some of the other guys if we get into some type of one-sided game.”

Before Texas takes on Louisiana at 1 p.m. Central on Friday in Game 1 of the Coral Gables regional, here’s the list of pitchers who could run out of the bullpen in relief of Gordon, Johnson, or Witt.

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Travis Sthele, RHP

Appearances: 14 (10 starts)
Record: 3-5
Innings pitched: 57.0
ERA: 5.68
Opp. BA: .261
WHIP: 1.54
Strikeouts: 61

Charlie Hurley, RHP

Appearances: 20 (5 starts)
Record: 4-0
Innings pitched: 49.1
ERA: 4.01
Opp. BA: .239
WHIP: 1.38
Strikeouts: 41

Zane Morehouse, RHP

Appearances: 24 (4 starts)
Record: 4-3
Innings pitched: 45.1
ERA: 5.76
Opp. BA: .286
WHIP: 1.57
Strikeouts: 44

Andre Duplantier II, RHP

Appearances: 18
Record: 0-0
Innings pitched: 14.2
ERA: 2.45
Opp. BA: .268
WHIP: 1.64
Strikeouts: 15

Ace Whitehead, LHP

Appearances: 15 (4 starts)
Record: 3-0
Innings pitched: 25.1
ERA: 4.26
Opp. BA: .301
WHIP: 1.62
Strikeouts: 24

Chase Lummus, LHP

Appearances: 10
Record: 1-1
Innings pitched: 15.1
ERA: 5.28
Opp. BA: .241
WHIP: 1.17
Strikeouts: 12

Other pitchers who have at least nine appearances include Kobe Minchey and Chris Stuart.

Minchey has nine appearances with three starts. He last pitched versus West Virginia on May 20. A right-handed freshman from Jarrell, Minchey is 2-1 with a 5.25 ERA, a 1.58 WHIP, and an opponent’s batting average of .217.

Stuart has 15 appearances. He last pitched on May 1 versus TCU and has 1.1 innings pitched in the last month and a half. A left-handed transfer from San Jacinto College, Stuart is 1-1 with a 7.20 ERA, a 1.67 WHIP, and an opponent’s batting average of .204.