From the Austin American Statesman
http://www.statesman.com/search/content/shared/sports/s.../0320texbase_FN.html
AUSTIN, Texas — Tommy Harmon looked around the Texas locker room following a victory over the Kansas Jayhawks and took in the scene.
There was designated hitter Tant Shephard and catcher Cameron Rupp. He saw pitchers Brandon Workman and Chance Ruffin. He noticed pitchers Cole Green, Stayton Thomas and Kevin Keyes.
Harmon looked around again.
Freshmen.
Everywhere the Longhorns' associate head coach looked, he saw freshmen.
"That was when I came up with the nickname 'Kiddie Corps,' " said Harmon, who heads up recruiting. "It wasn't because of any moment or story. It was just me noticing all of the youngsters we have contributing on this team."
Not since head coach Augie Garrido's first year have the Longhorns had so many freshmen contributing in major ways. As many as seven will see significant playing time this weekend when 18th-ranked Texas (14-5) visits Texas Tech (10-8) in a three-game series beginning today.
"The difference between the first year Augie coached and now is the first year he was here, we had to play that many freshmen," Harmon said. "This year, we're doing it because these guys have earned spots. They're all talented players who have worked hard to get where they are."
It's showing in the numbers.
Rupp is hitting .400 with three home runs and 21 RBIs. Shepherd is hitting .417. Thomas has a 0.75 earned-run average and Ruffin is 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA. Workman is 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA.
While numbers are impressive, it's the bond the Kiddie Corps is building that could bring a lot of hardware to UFCU Disch-Falk Field in the next three years.
"This is a very talented group of athletes we've got," Garrido said of the freshman class. "They're still learning, but you're talking about an impressive group."
And their relationships extend beyond the field.
Workman, Thomas and Rupp played on the same summer league team since they were in grade school. Their main rivals were a team called the Tigers, which had Shephard and Green.
They still debate who had the better summer league team.
"We've been playing with or against each other for a long time now," Thomas said. "It was really comfortable coming to a place where I knew so many people. You can just tell we all get along well."
On game nights, the Kiddie Corps members are ready to pick each other up.
"It's funny to watch," Harmon said. "Everybody on this team gets excited about their teammates. But you can see the kids get a little more excited when one of their guys does something. But that's understandable. They can relate to each other more."
When Green struggled in an outing, giving up five runs in a third of an inning, his boys were there for him.
"Workman, Stayton, Tant and Rupp all were there telling me not to worry about it," Green said. "It makes things easier when your friends are there. We all know that this is about competition and winning, but it's nice to have a group you get along with."
As for groups within the Longhorn baseball program, the Kiddie Corps is the biggest.
"Yeah, they are absolutely everywhere you turn," said third baseman Travis Tucker. "You always can see three or four of them standing around. It's pretty funny.
"Half of them don't act or play like freshmen. They've stepped up and played a bigger role. And we're thankful for that."
Alan Trubow writes for the Austin American-Statesman.
On a personal note, all great young men and am very happy to see them doing well down at UT.
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