May 7, 2007

Austin, TX (CSTV U-WIRE) -- As the final note of "The Eyes of Texas" faded from the loudspeakers, a barely audible murmur rippled through the fans behind the visitors' dugout.

It eventually turned into a full-bodied chant.

"Adrian. Adrian. Adrian."

Though he'd already gotten a standing ovation after pitching, assistant coach Skip Johnson pulled him in the ninth inning of Texas' 5-1 win over Missouri on Saturday, and Longhorn fans felt junior starter Adrian Alaniz deserved a little more and gave him a curtain call after the game ended.

"Fans know what's going on. People know what's at the table," Alaniz said. "Having these fans behind you 100 percent, no matter what, is huge."

Alaniz, who was recently named a USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award semifinalist, allowed just three hits and struck out four Tigers during his 8 1/3 innings Saturday.

Though two hard-hit shots to right field and Missouri's only run of the game caused him to leave two outs before finishing off his third complete game of the season, Alaniz's performance was still a beauty.

While there's a few things that make Alaniz (12-2) a dominating starter in Texas' rotation, against Missouri, the righty used a pitching style that separates him from most college hurlers - challenging hitters inside.

"It's harder for young pitchers, against that metal bat, to have the confidence to come inside, because they get beat with good pitches that hit the handle and go over the infielders' heads," head coach Augie Garrido said. "It takes a very mature pitcher to continue to go inside when you should."

Alaniz's attitude has developed out of nearly three seasons as a dependable pitcher for the Longhorns.

Throughout his career with Texas, Alaniz has pitched a no-hitter, won two games in a national championship year and established himself as one of the best pitchers in Texas baseball history.

"You look at all the numbers, and you have to put him up there," Garrido said.

So the fans' gesture wasn't just for Saturday's performance, but also in recognition of everything Alaniz has meant to the Texas program throughout his career.

And as he responded by flashing the hook 'em handsign, the standout from Sinton got a little emotional and gave Garrido a big bear hug.

"Coming from a small town and knowing that I've accomplished a lot of things in my life is amazing," Alaniz said.

(C) 2007 Daily Texan via CSTV U-WIRE