The Texas baseball team will open the 2013 season on Friday, ready to erase the disappointment of last season that saw them fail to make the NCAA tournament. Perhaps nothing held the Horns back more than problems on the mound. Head coach Augie Garrido said Texas lost five starting pitchers during the course of the year.

This year the rotation isn't set in stone, but knock on wood, it's healthy. Parker French is back from a stress fracture in his elbow and will be the Horns Friday ace. Nathan Thornhill will begin the season as the Saturday starter. The rest of the staff is up in the air heading into the opening weekend, but Skip Johnson says there are plenty of options.