Around Campus

The Texas Longhorns Look to Return to the Pinnacle of the College Baseball World in 2007

Adrian Alaniz is one of the members of the Brooks Wallace Award watch list highlighting the
nation’s top players

With 2006 marking the end of a four-year streak of appearances at the College World Series (CWS), including national titles in 2002 and 2005, head coach Augie Garrido has UT’s eyes on the prize once again heading into the 2007 campaign.

Coach Garrido looks to guide Texas to its 33rd CWS appearance and seventh national title.

The return to the peak will rely on 20 returning letterwinners, including two returning starting pitchers and seven returning position players.

Junior Adrian Alaniz leads the pitching staff. Already named to the Brooks Wallace Award watch list recognizing the nation’s top players in November, Alaniz went 7-4 with three saves, a 4.18 ERA and 70 strikeouts as sophomore.

Other returning pitchers that may take on starting roles, includes senior Randy Boone (4-2, 3.59 ERA) and Riley Boening (4-1, 5.26 ERA). Boone earned Texas Collegiate League Pitcher of the Year recognition during the summer.

James Russell, son of former major league standout Jeff Russell, is also a candidate to start after transferring from Navarro College.
The bullpen returns 2006 save leader Austin Wood who went 4-3 with seven saves, a 3.15 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 45.2 innings as a freshman. Sophomores Kyle Walker (4-1, 3.89), Keith Shinaberry (2-0, 1.35 ERA) and senior Joseph Krebs (2-1, 2 saves, 2.73 ERA) bolster the relief corps.
The infield features returnees at four of the five positions. Three-year starter, Chance Wheeless (.283, 2 HR, 30 RBI) returns at first base with fellow senior Chais Fuller (.244, 0 HR, 22 RBI) returning at shortstop. Sophomore Bradley Suttle (.301, 4 HR, 36 RBI) moves to the third base in 2007 after spending most of last season at second base. Preston Clark (.273, 5 HR, 30 RBI) returns as starting catcher and gained valuable experience playing for the U.S. National Team during the summer.

A trio of newcomers will be vying for playing time in the middle infield, including high school standouts Josh Prince (Lake Charles, La.) and Michael Demperio (Marietta, Ga.) and junior college transfer Travis Tucker (Killeen, Texas).

The outfield features three returning starters, but two of them started at other positions last season. Nick Peoples (.289, 3 HR, 27 RBI) is slated to start in centerfield after playing at the hot corner as a junior. Kyle Russell (.276, 10 HR, 42 RBI), also named to the Brooks Wallace Award watch list, returns to start in rightfield, where many have him listed as an All-America candidate. Jordan Danks (.319, 2 HR, 21 RBI) started the season in leftfield, suffered an injury and when he returned saw most of his time as a designated hitter. Danks will return to leftfield for the 2007 season.

Texas natives Kyle Lusson (Austin) and Clint Stubbs (Atlanta) add depth to the outfield.

Newcomer Russell Moldenhauer (Boerne, Texas) may serve as designated hitter in addition to his role as backup catcher. Moldenhauer was drafted in the third round of last June’s Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft and is considered to be one of the top collegiate freshmen heading into the season.

The 2007 schedule features 38 home games, with the first four slated for play at The Dell Diamond in nearby Round Rock.

The season begins on February 2 as the Longhorns host San Diego in a three-game series. In addition to the games against the Toreros, the Longhorns will also play a Tuesday afternoon game at The Dell Diamond against UT Arlington on February 6.

Kyle Russell, who ranked second on the squad with 10 home runs last season, returns to lead the Longhorns’ offense

Beginning with their game against UT Pan American on February 16, the Longhorns will play the remainder of their 2006 home slate at UFCU Disch-Falk, which is being renovated.

The highlight of the non-conference slate is a three-game series against Stanford (February 16-18). Texas also hosts Washington State (February 23-25), Oral Roberts (March 2-4) and Miami (Ohio) (March 9-11) in three-game series.

Also of note, the Longhorns will play College World Series participant Rice in a pair of games, hosting the Owls on March 27 and traveling to Houston on April 17.

The State Farm Lone Star Showdown is slated for May 18-20, with the first game at Texas A&M and the next two at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.

For ticket information, contact the Athletics Ticket Office at (512) 471-3333 or go online at TexasBoxOffice.com.