It takes a special athlete to be selected to The Opening Finals. 2019 Mansfield Legacy DB Jalen Catalon did not get his call until days before the event began, but it was a validation of the gifted athleticism he possesses.
Three different topics this week. One that has helped and hurt Texas, one that Texas wishes had another attendee, and one that looks set up well for the future.
After a week of sleeping on an air mattress in suburban Omaha, it was nice to finally be in my own bed late last night. Before I dozed off, I did a short mental recap of Texas’ baseball season.
Two of my daughters graduated high school the other day, so my thoughts are all over the place, and if you walk by me and say hello, I might start crying. Using this notes column as a bit of therapy…humor me…
OMAHA — Facing elimination, Florida turned to right hander Jackson Kowar to keep the Gators’ repeat hopes alive. He didn’t falter.
OMAHA — Junior catcher DJ Petrinsky committed to Texas on June 23rd of last year. The moment he announced his decision, fellow junior catcher Michael McCann was put into a tough spot. Competition was set to join him on campus for his starting catcher role that looked to be his since Michael Cantu made the decision to leave the program. He could either help his new teammate, or choose another path.
For the benefit of the Longhorns, he chose the former.
OMAHA — One bad inning against an elite offense can quickly put a team in a hole. A terrible inning from multiple pitchers makes it impossible to get out of that hole.
Happy Father’s Day from Omaha.
Texas and Arkansas get started at 1 pm on ESPN.
OMAHA — Texas head coach David Pierce last made a trip to the College World Series as an assistant at Rice in 2008. He remained on the Owl staff for three more seasons before taking the Sam Houston State job. He stayed in Huntsville for three seasons until taking the Tulane job, and stayed there for two seasons before becoming head coach of the Longhorns.
Texas is used to Omaha. Or is Omaha used to Texas?
Either way, the Longhorns have played in 36 of the 69 College World Series held in Omaha, and won one of the three CWS held outside of Nebraska in 1949.