Texas’ Return Has Orange County Flavor

Phil Seibel and Tommy Nicholson were part of Coach Augie Garrido’s first recruiting class at Texas.

As freshmen two years ago, they went through a frustrating 23-32-1 season when the Longhorns finished eighth in the Big 12 Conference.

But the two former Orange County high school players, both juniors, have helped put Texas in the College World Series for the first time since 1993.

“It’s like a dream to be here because we’ve felt so far away the last couple of years,” Nicholson said.

But the Longhorns (46-20) will need a victory against Florida State today to stay alive in the Series after a 13-5 loss to Louisiana State in the first round Saturday.

Nicholson, who played at Esperanza High, is a three-year starter at second base. He is second on the team in batting this season with a .365 average. He earned a spot on the All-Big 12 team for his strong defense as much as for his hitting.

Seibel, who played at Cypress High, has overcome arm problems that sidelined him for nearly a month. His return has given the Longhorns another talented starter for the playoffs.

Seibel, with a 5-1 record and 1.91 earned-run average, earned a key victory in the NCAA regional against Arizona State. Seibel gave up five hits and struck out six in 6 1/3 innings in a game that enabled Texas to fight off elimination in the regional. The Longhorns came back to defeat Arizona State again that day to win the regional.

“I’m really pleased that I was able to come back as well as I did,” Seibel said. “For a while, I didn’t know what was going to happen, or whether I was going to be able to get back at all. It was difficult just sitting there and not being able to contribute.”

Seibel, a left-hander who was 5-2 with five saves as sophomore, won his first four decisions as a starter this season before a strained ligament in his elbow began causing problems.

After that, he pitched briefly in relief in two games, but then the team doctor ordered him to take a month off to rehabilitate his pitching arm. He sat out 19 games.

“I had pitched only six innings after the injury before that game against Arizona State,” Seibel said. “But it was enough for me to get my confidence back.”

Seibel didn’t pitch in the super-regional series because the Longhorns eliminated Penn State in two games. “My stomach was in knots all day that Saturday wondering if [the series] was going to go to a third game,” Seibel said.

However, Seibel is expected to be the Longhorn starter today. Pitching coach Frank Anderson indicated that he “most likely” will move Seibel ahead of D.J. Jones (12-5), who has been the No. 2 starter.

Seibel said his arm feels healthy and he’s eager to pitch in such an important game.

“I couldn’t ask for more than this,” said Seibel, who expects the early innings to be the key. “This may be the biggest game I’ll ever pitch. It’s going to be a high-pressure intense situation, and I’ll need to make sure I don’t let the environment get in the way of what I want to do.”

Nicholson said the experience the Longhorns gained against Arizona State in the regional could help them today.

“We have to be able to come back the same way we did at Arizona State,” Nicholson said. “This is our first time here, and a lot of us were pretty nervous [Saturday]. I think we’ll be more relaxed the next time around.”

Nicholson also thought the Longhorns were taken out of their normal game when LSU scored four runs in the first inning. “After that, we didn’t play our kind of game,” Nicholson said.

Nicholson, who had two hits in four at-bats against LSU, has been consistent all season. He has had at least one hit in 38 of his last 40 games, and has had two or more hits in 25 games this season.

It continued a pattern of steady improvement for Nicholson since he batted .282 as a freshman. He raised his average to .315 in 1999, and has ranked among the Big 12’s top hitters this season.

Equally important to Garrido has been Nicholson’s play on defense. He is fielding .968 for his career and has made only nine errors this season in 341 chances.

“I was fortunate that they needed a second baseman when I came to Texas, and being able to play regularly for three years has helped me develop,” Nicholson said.

Both players said they are pleased about the improvement in Texas’ record this season, no matter what happens the rest of the way.

“There was a lot of doubting going on that first year when we were having trouble,” Seibel said. “But we’re in the World Series now, and that’s what matters. I’m glad that we were able to make that happen for Coach Garrido.”

Both players were drafted and have indicated they will consider their options after the season. Seibel was taken in the eighth round by Montreal, Nicholson in the 11th round by the Chicago White Sox.