USA – University of Texas coach Augie Garrido will miss the Longhorns first four games this season and Baseball America’s No. 4 ranked team will be different in other ways as well.

Garrido, who will be serving a four-game suspension for his drunken driving arrest when Texas opens the 2009 campaign Feb. 20 against Illinois-Chicago, stressed prior to his off-the-field issues that the Longhorns will focus more on pitching and defense this upcoming season.

Texas’ home facilty, UFCU Disch-Falk Field, has had new turf installed which is expected to slow the ball down more than in past years with the previous turf.

“The best possible defense needs to be out there because it can do wonders on this field,” Garrido told the Austin American-Stateman newspaper recently.

The Longhorns infield tallied 82 defensive miscues a year ago on the older, faster turf but Garrido feels like his infield defense has improved significantly.

Below is how the Longhorns starting lineup is shaping up with undoubtedly a few surprises still to come.

CATCHER
Eventually, Preston Clark will be back behind the plate after rehabbing his shoulder and knees. Clark spent most of 2008 playing third base.

FIRST BASE
Brandon Belt will focus on being a full-time first baseman this season after pulling double duty last year as a reliever.

SECOND BASE
Travis Tucker is entrenched as the starter.

SHORTSTOP
David Hernandez returns to anchor the middle of the infield.

THIRD BASE
Freshman Brandon Loy of Rowlett is the front-runner with senior Michael Torres and another frosh, Kevin Lusson, also in the mix.

OUTFIELD
Tant Shepherd will be one of three new outfielders for the Longhorns this season and will be setting up shop in left field. Kevin Keyes has enjoyed a terrific offseason and will be the rightfielder while sophomore Conner Rowe or junior Kyle Lusson will win the starting role in center field.

STARTING PITCHERS
Sophomore right-hander Chance Ruffin returns to lead the rotation after a stellar freshman year. Other pitchers competing for weekend starting roles includes right-handers Cole Green, Brandon Workman, Austin Dicharry and Taylor Jungmann.

RELIEF PITCHERS
A pair of left-handers, Keith Shinaberry and Sam Stafford, figure to be mainstays in the bullpen which will also include Stayton Thomas, Riley Boening and the three starting pitchers who don’t earn weekend starting positions.

Tags: NCAA Division I