This team

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GemStateJim

2,500+ Posts
Forgive me Hornfans, for I have sinned: I've grossly underestimated this team. Like many others, I've focused too intently on Texas' lack of power and lackluster batting averages at the expense of appreciating its unyielding confidence, unparalleled chemistry and undeniable will to win.
That's why, three-and-a-half weeks ago, after securing the Big 12 regular season and tournament titles and the NCAA Tournament's No.1 overall seed (an honor I didn't believe UT deserved), I told myself I'd be content with merely reaching the College World Series. After all, Texas has fielded more talented teams in recent years but hadn't made it back to Omaha since winning it all in 2005. Heck, our 'Horns couldn't even escape the regionals during that span.

Two-and-a-half weeks ago, when Texas emerged from the Austin Regional on the strength of two of the most dramatic, nerve-wracking wins in school history, my expectations didn't budge. After all, we'd "only" beaten Army and Boston College--hardly among college baseball's Who's Who.

But my hopes for the 'Horns rose a week later after observing the way they dominated a solid and scrappy TCU squad in the Austin Super Regional rubber match. The Horny Toads never really had a chance and knew it the moment Texas grabbed a 3-0, first-inning lead.

Seeing as how UT drew Southern Miss for its CWS opener, I estimated a break-even, 2-2 showing was the best we fans could hope for. After all, Arizona State boasted a pitching staff even better than UT's, and North Carolina had danced the Blue Tarheel Waltz over its competition en route to Omaha.

My perspective didn't change in the wake of Sunday's 7-6 victory over Southern Miss. After all, the Golden Eagles walked in a game-tying run, a go-ahead run and the eventual game-winner.

But tonight ... well, tonight changes everything.

I initially was furious because ASU ace Mike Leake was struggling from the outset, yet Texas' hitters kept letting him off the hook, going 0-4 with RISP through the first two innings.

And then the Sun Devils surged, staking themselves to a 6-0 lead that seemed all-but insurmountable with the nation's second-best pitcher and Major League Baseball's No.8 overall draft pick on the mound.

But then Cameron Rupp, who was partly to blame for that six-run deficit, stepped up and cut the lead in half with a three-run shot to right. From that moment, I went from wondering if Texas could beat the Tarheels in an elimination game to KNOWING--absolutely KNOWING--that the 'Horns were going to come back and win.

Hours later, Texas is sitting pretty in the semifinals. I don't know if our 'Horns will win it all, but I now believe they are good enough to do it. I also know that I will not underestimate them again ... at least, not this year.

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It's either a team of destiny or else it's playing way over its head.

I suppose we're going to find out which it is over the next week.
 
They sort of remind me of Cal State Fullerton in 2004.

That game last night was a game for the ages...one of several we have had the amazing pleasure to enjoy.

It is days like this I feel nothing but pity for the Longhorn fans who spend most of the year just waiting around for football season to start again.
 
I know it's probably asking too much considering how much the locals hate UT in everything but it would be nice to see the neutrals errrrrr the CWS diehards in Omaha actually get behind UT for once. Because this is a team that plays the game the way it should be played.

I know LSU's the local favorite, but for the reason above and because of the good Kingwood boy Austin Wood, the team in burnt orange is the team I hope wins it. This is a UT team that EVERYONE should get behind.
 
That 6 run 4th inning last night was magical. Championships are won like that in magical moments. Think about the Lakers this year. They could have been tied 2-2 with Orlando very easily if Howard hade made 1 of 2 FTs or Fisher missed his 3. But instead LA wins it in 5 games and looking back the series was really boring. Could have been otherwise except for the magical moment at the end of that game.

Listening to Andrews recounting Augie's talk to the team between innings gave me goosebumps. And that was a 2nd hand account from a reporter listening in. That pep talk or whatever you want to call it led to a magical inning in which the game completely changed and turned in Texas' favor.
 
Well said Jim. This has already been a magical season.

And I would like to give Jim props for his "coverage" in these threads during the regional and superregional.

I often have to wade through threads to get scores on my phone. I could always count on Jim to wade through the BS and summarize the score and the action each half inning.

Thank you Sir!

HOOKEM
 
I, too, was frustrated at "no small ball" and advancing runners in the early innings.

After the game Augie said something about swinging at Leake's low stuff to force him to put the ball up -- then we destroyed him.

Before Augie said that I began to think that the plan for the game was to come out swinging in general and try and spook Leake and overwhelm him. And it did happen. I just didn't know about the low and high ball pitching and how that works.

Bottom line... if the Horns had bunted a lot in the early innings it would not have put enough pressure on Leake to run him out of the game. It may have even allowed him to settle into the game. As it was, the Longhorn game was too much for him.

The genius of the game was that Augie believed he could attack the plate and spook Leake -- whereas a small ball game would have given Leake a space in which to settle down into a longer rhythm.

What ASU did in the first 3 innings reminds me of USC scoring every time they had the ball in the second half of the '06 Rose Bowl -- except their last possession when they got stopped on 4th down. In that game I went into a numb calm the same as did after 3 innings of 0-6 scoring last night.

Only to witness a nationally televised Longhorn display.
 
hornpharmd, is there a link where erin can be found recollecting Augie's speech? i was at work and only saw the game, could not hear it

if not, could somone summarize what was said?

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Summary:

Ya'll look like the badnews bears out there. The game is meant to be fun. Have fun. Don't get discouraged... think about how great you'll feel when you win this thing after being down by so much. This isn't something to worry about... its an opportunity to do something special. Go after YOUR pitch. Don't let Leake dictate what you swing at. Be patient and make it be your kindof pitch. That's it.
 
Yeh I can't find a link. Off the top of my head only hearing it once, it went something like:

You've guys have been playing like the little leaguers in the bad news bears movie. But you have a chance to start over. You scored 11 runs in an inning earlier in the year. Imagine how you will feel when you watch the highlights on sportscenter after you comeback and win. Baseball is supposed to be fun and you aren't having fun. Go out and hit your pitches, not Leake's pitches. We can do this.

I am sure it was a little bit different, longer, and more inspiring then my recollection. But that is what I can remember now.

He said later the speech was about removing guilt from the players minds for mistakes they had made earlier in the game. Letting them refocus on the positives and opportunities ahead of them. Giving them a blank slate to start over. That clearly worked with Rupp.
 
An addendum to my story:

A friend and I watched Friday's game at a local sports bar. My friend's from Mesa, Ariz., but didn't have a horse in this race. However, by the fourth inning, she told me she was going to root AGAINST Texas just to give me ****.

I said, "Fine, but it's not wise to mess with a team of destiny."

Her answer? "Whatever. You're such a homer."

A couple of innings later, when ASU was threatening to retake the lead, my friend chimed in with some more smack, saying Texas was absolutely going to lose.

"I wouldn't bet against this team," I said.

"I would," she shot back.

"OK, then. If Texas wins, you buy my meal and a celebratory beer? I'll do the same if ASU loses. Deal?"

"You're on."

Fast forward to the ninth. ASU goes ahead on a two-out RBI triple and my friend says, "This burger tastes so much better knowing that it's gonna be FREE."

"Team of destiny," I said.

"You're so full of it."

"I'm telling you, this team is different. Do I look worried?"

Ten minutes later, I was enjoying my "victory beer" courtesy of Messrs. Rupp and Rowe while my friend sat dumbfounded. All she could say was, "I can't believe that just happened. I really thought I was gonna win that bet. I can't believe that just happened ... "

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