2022 Austin Regional: Preview and predictions

The 2022 Austin Regional will have no shortage of fireworks.

Perennial powerhouse Texas will host dominant mid-major programs Louisiana Tech, Dallas Baptist and the high flying offense of the Air Force Falcons.

No. 9 Texas (42-19) has had a roller coaster of a season. The Longhorns ranked No. 1 in the country to start the season and looked the part through the first two weeks. Texas enjoyed wins over Alabama, Tennessee and LSU before news broke that preseason All-American Tanner Witt would miss the rest of the season with an elbow injury.

Inconsistent pitching led to some struggles for the Longhorns. Texas fell out of the top 25 after being swept at home against Oklahoma State at the end of April. Texas then closed the season red-hot and made a run to the Big 12 Tournament championship to climb back into earning a regional host.

Louisiana Tech (42-19) is coming off winning the Conference USA Tournament title. The Bulldogs return strong experience from last year’s squad which hosted a regional themselves. Louisiana Tech took down LSU in a midweek matchup earlier in the season.

Dallas Baptist (34-22-1) is always a tough out in the NCAA tournament. The Patriots were one game away for the College World Series a year ago. DBU faced some hardships during conference play this season, finishing just 11-9-1 in the Missouri Valley.

Air Force (30-27) presents a unique challenge as a No. 4 seed. The Falcons boast one of the top offensive attacks in the nation along with potential first-round Paul Skenes. Skenes is a two-way player who will take the mound against the Horns in game one. He holds a 2.42 ERA and a fastball that touches triple-digits at times.

Here is a look at the game one pitching matchups, schedule, players to watch and prediction for the Austin Regional.

Schedule

Pitching matchups

Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

Texas vs. Air Force

• Texas LHP Pete Hansen (10-1, 3.01 ERA) vs Air Force RHP Paul Skenes (10-2, 2.42 ERA)

Louisiana Tech vs. Dallas Baptist

• Louisiana Tech TBD vs. Dallas Baptist RHP Luke Eldred (5-1, 4.76 ERA)

Players to watch

AP Photo/Stephen Spillman

Texas:

• 1B Ivan Melendez, LHP Pete Hansen, RF Murphy Stehly and SS Trey Faltine

Louisiana Tech:

• SS Taylor Young, OF Cole McConnell, RHP Kyle Crigger and RHP Ryan Jennings

Dallas Baptist:

• INF Cole Moore, OF Jace Grady, RHP Luke Eldred and RHP Ryan Johnson

Air Force:

• RHP/C Paul Skenes, IF Sam Kulasingam, OF Gabriel Garcia and IF Jay Thompson

Predicted winner: Texas

AP Photo/Stephen Spillman

Texas looks to be hitting its stride at the right time. Pete Hansen and Lucas Gordan have been an excellent duo in the rotation and Tristian Stevens’ move to the bullpen has proved to help the Longhorns in the backend of games.

The Horns’ powerful offense led by Golden Spikes Award Finalist Ivan Melendez has proven tough to beat at home. Texas’ defense ranks tops in the nation in fielding percentage at a .986 clip.

Winning the first two games of the regional will be vital for Texas as the pitching depth is a weakness of this team.

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