Joseph Krebs is happy.
It’s not just how he’s throwing the ball.
It’s not just his consistency.
Krebs, the Texas Longhorns’ best relief pitcher throughout the season, is comfortable with the way everything is going right now.
He proved that again Sunday as he came on in relief to pitch 2 1/3 innings and help the Longhorns beat Miami University 10-4 in a five-inning, rain-shortened game at UFCU Disch-Falk Field. Texas won the final two games of the series after dropping the opener Friday.
The Redhawks (3-6) were mounting a comeback in the third inning, trailing 6-3 with one out and runners on second and third when Krebs (3-0) entered. He got Jeff Carroll to ground out to third, which scored a run to make it 6-4, and induced Chris Niro into another groundout to end the threat.
Krebs is happy in the long-relief role, but his lights-out dominance has coach Augie Garrido thinking about switching Krebs’ role.
“Coach (Skip) Johnson and myself are going to have to talk to see if we’re getting the right number of innings out of him,” Garrido said. “We might need to move him into a starting role. With Keith Shinaberry’s performance and Pat McCrory’s performance and Randy Boone, Krebs might be able to take that third starter role and run with it.”
While Krebs’ role might be changing, the Longhorns’ lineup might be set. Texas (15-7) pounded out 14 hits in four-plus innings at the plate, putting together a six-run second inning to take control.
Travis Tucker was 3 for 3 with four RBIs and Nick Peoples, who was moved to the nine spot, went 3 for 3 with three RBIs. The addition of DH Russell Moldenhauer and shortstop Josh Prince, who went 5 for 5 during Saturday’s victory, has made the Horns’ lineup extremely dangerous heading into Big 12 play.
“You have an opportunity to get a rally going, keep a rally going from beginning to end,” Garrido said.
After a Wednesday matchup against Winthrop, the Longhorns open Big 12 play against Baylor on Friday.
Garrido is just two wins away from 1,600 for his career, and chances are he will reach the milestone against Baylor, one of Texas’ biggest rivals.
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