Texas sees an improved day at the plate versus Tennessee after dismal opening game
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After Texas struck out 21 times versus Mississippi State on Sunday, adjustments definitely had to be made but confidence also needed to be restored. It was the second time Texas suffered strikeout after strikeout against the Bulldogs, but the difference between the stakes on opening day and the opening game of the College World Series are immense.
“Obviously striking out 21 times in a game is unacceptable,” Eric Kennedy said. “But after the game Coach Pierce is like ‘keep your head up, we’ll go to work tomorrow.’ That’s exactly what we did.”
Kennedy, who was 2-for-4 with a three-run home run, two runs, and a stolen base during Texas 8-4 win over Tennessee, continued his hot streak in the postseason and made the most of his opportunities when they counted. His home run was critical giving the momentum back to Texas in the second inning after Tennessee took the lead.
Kennedy was one of several players who saw his position in the order change between games one and two. He moved up from the nine-hole to eight, switching with Silas Ardoin.
Cam Williams swapped places with Mitchell Daly at the two- and five-spots. Finally, Trey Faltine and Douglas Hodo flipped at six and seven. Mike Antico remained at the leadoff spot, while Zach Zubia and Ivan Melendez stayed home at three and four.
The shakeup worked as Texas knocked seven hits for eight runs, walking six times and striking out nine times.
Even if some of those stats aren’t particularly great, everyone wearing burnt orange realized they had nowhere to go but up after Sunday’s performance.
“Playing loose, starting the ninth inning against Mississippi State, we were all kind of laughing,” Kennedy said. “(Troy Tulowitzki) was laughing and was like ‘it can’t get any worse, play loose, let it fly.’”
Kennedy continued: “We did have a little rally then and it carried over into today. That’s what the big message was in the meeting yesterday was just stay loose, enjoy it. We’re here for a reason.”
Texas head coach David Pierce said following Tuesday’s game his team was frustrated and embarrassed by their performance against Mississippi State. He praised the way they approached Monday’s practice and prepared for a less potent but still quality Tennessee staff.
“When you get humiliated and you get stung, either you’re going to back down and tuck your tail, or you’re going to do something about it,” Pierce said. “They made a commitment they’re going to try to shorten up their swings, if they’ve got to get off the knob, just whatever it is to find a way to get to 90.”
No one embodied figuring out how to get 90 feet on Tuesday better than Ardoin. Down 1-2 in the count, his single that scored two busted open the game and showed Texas was going to provide competitive at bats up and down the order.
Even Trey Faltine, who finished 0-for-3 with three strikeouts, offered an important contribution. His sacrifice bunt in the second opened the door for Kennedy’s homer to left. His three other at bats, he saw nine, ten, and five pitches with several foul balls traveling home run distance.
The only other 0-fer along with Faltine was Zubia, who finished 0-for-4 with a strikeout. His production has dipped of late but compare one player not moving a single runner or getting on base to the entire team going 4-for-31 Monday, and it’s evident Texas’ practice work allowed them to make the adjustments necessary to plate eight on Tuesday.
“I think it’s so important because we’ve worked so hard for these moments,” Pierce said. “We didn’t want to leave here with a bitter taste. We still have a lot of baseball, in our minds, to play. So that next opportunity, it’s huge for us.”
Photo courtesy of the NCAA
