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As dreams of a College World Series celebration fade into the background for the 2023 Texas baseball team, which has risen from a 3-6 start, fans and head coach David Pierce are worried that many athletes will pursue success elsewhere. It was speculated that he would enter the MLB draft in search of the same.
But redshirt senior and third baseman Peyton Powell said the Longhorns returned with one goal in mind: finish what they started last season in Palo Alto.
“I want to win Natty,” Powell said. “That’s the only reason. Last year was really devastating.”
After a close game against Stanford in last June’s Super Regional, a dropped ball and an alert baserunner paved the way for the Cardinal’s victory going into Game 3 of the series tied 1-1.
Fellow redshirt senior Porter Brown shares his teammates’ desire to win a national title while recalling the bitter memories left behind after Stanford.
“I didn’t want to lose so badly at Stanford and end my college baseball career,” Brown said.
Powell, who is returning for his fifth season with the Longhorns, will see what it takes to reach Omaha, Nebraska, home of the College World Series, as he helped lead the team to the Championship Series in 2021 and 2022. know. Texas is projected to finish second in the Big 12 this year, according to a poll of coaches within the conference, and is expected to contend for a championship appearance again.
Brown also made the decision to return for his second and sixth season with the Longhorns after transferring from TCU. The star hitter has already been named to the All-Big 12 Preseason Team, but he doesn’t see it as a program-defining factor when it comes to preseason honors, but rather as another source of motivation to improve. .
“All the preseason rankings are cool and lock people into the season, but they have to be taken with a grain of salt,” Brown said. “Keep your head down and work hard every day… and the results will come in the end.”
Among the players returning to Forty Acres are redshirt junior Tanner Witt, senior Charlie Hurley, redshirt junior LeBaron Johnson Jr., who underwent arm surgery in the postseason and has since recovered. That includes junior pitcher David Shaw.
Pierce thanked the veterans who chose to play for him once again, noting that with nearly 60 percent of the roster made up of underclassmen, their leadership will be crucial.
“We got five guys back from the draft that we could have easily lost,” Pierce said. “I’m so excited to know that you have the potential to be there and have the experience.”
Despite losing big names like Dylan Campbell, Lucas Gordon and Zane Morehouse to the draft, Powell and Brown are confident their team can rise to the occasion once again. Powell praised the program’s coaching staff for putting in place a solid foundation for success, but he also cited the importance of team chemistry above all else.
“It has to come from the whole team. Everyone has to come together and understand their role and embrace it and enjoy the season,” Powell said. “We have the people we need to accomplish what we want to do.”
Texas will headline UFCU Dishfork Field starting February 3rd, hosting the annual alumni game, followed by the season opener against San Diego on February 16th.
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