Texas’ Pack, Cozart earn national honors after standout freshmen seasons

AUSTIN (KXAN) — After missing out of the Men’s College World Series last season, Texas is back in Omaha competing for the coveted national title with seven other opponents. While there’s been many contributing factors to the team’s resurgence this year, two of the Longhorns freshmen additions have stood out from the rest.

Relief pitcher Sam Cozart and outfielder Anthony Pack Jr. have been revelations for Texas, and this week they were recognized for their key contributions to a national championship contender.

Pack was announced as Baseball America’s National Freshman of the Year, becoming the fifth Longhorn to win the honor. Pack has been a mainstay for Texas at the top of the order, slashing .359/.485/.597 for the season with 74 hits, 58 runs and 20 steals as well (all top-four among Power Four freshmen).

The 5-foot-10, 190-pound outfielder from Lakewood, California also received the SEC Freshman of the Year award last month, and was named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Freshman All-American earlier this week.

On the other hand, Cozart was named as the NCBWA National Freshman Pitcher of the Year, becoming the third Texas pitcher to win the honor. Cozart had to earn his way to the team’s closing role, but once he did, he was never giving it back.

The 6-foot-6, 260-pound stalwart led Division I pitchers in WHIP (0.69) and batting average (.132), while also ranking second in ERA (1.64). In his 22 appearances, Cozart has recorded 71 strikeouts, only 12 walks and nine saves, including the one on Sunday against Oregon which sent the Longhorns to the MCWS.

Texas has plenty of talent elsewhere, but it’s hard to imagine a scenario where it makes it to Omaha without the help of its two freshmen stars.