After Texas fell 4-2 to Texas A&M in the College Station Regionals June 1, the Longhorns continued their losing streak. Texas fell to Louisiana the next day, a team it conquered earlier in the tournament, in a 10-2 loss, resulting in a disappointing postseason end.
The Ragin’ Cajuns had a three-run home run that was part of a seven-run frame in the eighth inning that ultimately sealed Texas’ fate. The Longhorns finished their last game of the 2023-24 campaign with 10 total hits, all singles and 11 strikeouts.
Junior pitcher Ace Whitehead pitched over six innings, only allowing two runs on seven hits and accumulating six strikeouts. Senior pitcher Charlie Hurley was sent in to relieve Whitehead, but caused more harm by giving up six runs for the one inning he pitched before being pulled out.
The earlier and impressive 12–5 win over Louisiana two days before the season-ending upset made the re-match look promising for Texas. Unfortunately, neither side of the ball seemed to be working for the Longhorns.
Looking back at the beginning of the season, head coach David Pierce’s lineup had potential, with many skilled new faces alongside returning players who were looking to make it to Omaha for the College World Series, something they were, again, just short of last season. Redshirt junior centerfielder Kimble Schuessler and freshman outfielder Will Gasparino were a few notable newcomers who had a major impact on Texas’ success.
However, Texas’ season fell short largely in part of its pitching. With the loss of a few quality pitchers like Lucas Gordon, Pierce took it upon himself to take over as pitching coach, while still managing duties as head coach, which was, overall, not effective. The pitcher’s total ERA jumped from 4.18 last season to 4.91. Redshirt junior Lebarron Johnson Jr., an originally promising pitcher for Texas at the beginning of the season, fell tremendously, increasing his ERA from 2.91 to 5.60.
On top of that, there have been numerous other critiques targeted at Pierce’s coaching strategies. People believe that he was not taking full use of the transfer portal, which was crucial with the exit of many prominent players, and that his strategy will not hold up with the SEC teams on the horizon. As of right now, Pierce’s future at Texas is uncertain.
While pitching seemed to be the main factor for Texas’ downfall this season, the Longhorns also could not consistently execute in critical times on the plate. Still, Texas was able to accumulate 112 home runs, second most in program history, and even slightly improved its team batting average from .245 to .288.
Texas finished the season with a 36-24 record, unranked, raising fears for the future of Texas baseball as it now enters arguably the best baseball conference in the country, the SEC.
