A timely return for Texas' slugger
Texas Longhorns designated hitter Ethan Mendoza resumed practice on Tuesday after leaving a game earlier this week with a shoulder injury.
Coach Jim Schlossnagle said Mendoza felt good and looked sharper during the session, a encouraging sign for a player who has been sidelined since May 8.
Mendoza has started 12 games as the team's designated hitter this season and is batting .275 with 10 home runs, 48 RBIs and 50 runs scored, providing a steady offensive punch.
The Longhorns are set to meet Alabama in an elimination game at the College World Series, a rematch that adds extra intrigue after the two clubs split a three‑game series in Austin earlier in the season.
Texas finished the regular‑season series with two wins out of three, and the coaching staff believes the experience gained on home soil could prove decisive.
With the tournament entering its decisive stage, Texas hopes the return of its middle‑order bat will tilt the balance in their favor.