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FINAL
Texas - 16
Sam Houston - 9
BOX SCORE
Winning Pitcher: Charlie Hurley (4-0)
Losing Pitcher: Gavi Coldiron (3-5)
RECAP
The Longhorns failed to score in the first inning, but got things going in the Bottom 2nd as Kimble Schuessler hit a big fly to LF over the Yeti Yard to give the Horns an early 1-0 lead.
Sam Houston would bounce back to tie the game up as a lead off walk came in to score on a sac bunt to the right side, making it 1-1 going into the Bottom 3rd. In the Bottom half of the frame, the Horns re-took the lead as Peyton Powell hit a 2 out double to CF and then came in to score when Max Belyeu hit an RBI single to CF, making it 2-1 Horns.
In the Bottom 4th, the Horns were right back at it, as Kimble Schuessler led off the inning by hitting a double to left center. Rylan Galvan then drew a walk. After Will Gasparino hit a sac bunt to 3B to move the runners over, Dee Kennedy grounded out to 1B, allowing Kimble to score to make it 3-1 Horns. Jared Thomas then hit a triple off the CF wall, driving in Rylan Galvan to make it 4-1 Horns. Jalin Flores came up next and hit a hanging changeup to the street in LF for a 2 run blast, putting the Horns up 6-1.
Following a 1-2-3 Top 5th, the Horns came to bat in the Bottom 5th with more bad intentions, this time against the first arm out of the bullpen, Wyatt Tucker. Max Belyeu welcomed Tucker to the game by hitting a double to RF. Casey Borba laid down a sac bunt to move Belyeu over to 3B with 1 out, bringing Kimble Schuessler to the plate. Kimble hit a laser right to the 3B who knocked it down, looked back Belyeu and fired to 1B in time to get the out, on an outstanding defensive play. With 2 outs and a runner on 3B, Rylan Galvan came to the plate and hit a ball just past the pitcher to the shortstop who had no play at 1B, bringing home Belyeu, making it 7-1 Horns. Will Gasparino and Dee Kennedy drew back to back walks to load the bases for lead off man Jared Thomas who proceeded to launch a missile to left CF for a grand slam, his 14th HR of the season. That made it 11-1 Horns.
After a 1-2-3 frame from LHP David Shaw, the Horns were right back at it offensively in the Bottom 6th. Powell grounded out to 2B, followed by Belyeu striking out swinging. Freshman Casey Borba drew a 2 out walk, followed by another Kimble Schuessler double, this one down the LF line, putting two runners in scoring position. Rylan Galvan then drew a walk to load the bases. Will Gasparino stepped to the plate and launched an oppo taco to RF for the second Longhorn grand slam of the game, making it 15-1.
In the Top 7th, RHP Cody Howard came into the game to pitch for the Horns and boy was it rough. His final line was 0.1 IP, 2 H, 7 R, 5 BB, 1 K and he faced 8 batters. WOOF. Going into the Bottom of the 7th, it was 15-8. In the Bottom 8th, the Horns got a run back as Peyton Powell hit a 2 out solo show to RF to make it 16-8 Horns.
In the Top 8th, the Bearkats would get a run back as they got a couple of singles and then a throwing error by Kimble Schuessler allowed the runner from 3B to trot in making it 16-9. In the Bottom 8th, the Horns came up empty offensively for only the 2nd inning of the game. Kimble Schuessler did get another double, his third of the game though.
In the Top 9th, Easton Tumis came in pounding the strike zone and sat the Bearkats down in order, closing it out for a Horns 16-9 victory.
For the game, the Horns ended up with 16 runs, on 14 hits, 1 error and 4 men left on base. Not too shabby!
BIG MOMENT
In the Bottom of the 5th inning, the Horns had a 7-1 lead with the bases loaded and Jared Thomas at the plate. He proceeded to crush a no doubter that he knew off the bat was gone for a grand slam, the first of the season for him and his 14th home run of the season.
INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE
Kimble Schuessler went 4-5 on the night with 3 runs scored, 1 RBI, 3 doubles, and a home run.
TAKEAWAYS
Since last Tuesday, the Horns have now hit 20 home runs. On the season, the Horns now have 95 home runs. Yes, they still strike out too much, but at any given moment, the Horns have the ability to change a ball game with the big fly. Currently the Horns have 4 players with double digit HRs (Belyeu, Flores, Thomas, and Gasparino), and two others that are either one HR or two HR away from being in double digits (Powell and Brown).
Outside of the ugly 7th inning implosion by Cody Howard, a solid ball game all the way around for the Horns. Charlie Hurley had a good night, earning his 4th win of the season, going 5 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 4 BB, and 3 K. While the 4 walks is definitely not ideal, if you can get Hurley to give you 5 innings of 1 run ball, you will take it every time, especially as they Horns may need a 4th starter in the Big 12 tournament or during Regional play.
NEXT UP
Horns will host #14 Oklahoma State this weekend in a massive Big 12 series, pitting the #2 and #4 teams in the conference.
