FINAL
Texas - 22
Texas Tech - 8
***yes, that score is correct, this is not a science fiction novel***
Winning Pitcher: Ace Whitehead (1-0)
Losing Pitcher: Kyle Robinson (2-2)
BOX SCORE
RECAP:
On a cold blustery night Lubbock, the Longhorns bounced back from their 4 game losing streak to pound out 20 hits and scoring 22 runs in the run away win. The Horns got things started early as Peyton Powell and Jalin Flores both singled, followed by an RBI single by Porter Brown, and then capped off by a 3 run home run by Max Belyeu to make it 4-0. LBJ was super sharp in the Bottom 1st, giving up a walk, but put up a zero on the board.
After a scoreless top half of the frame, Texas Tech answered right back by putting a 3 spot on the board in a disastrous inning for LBJ. In the Bottom of the 2nd inning, LBJ had a fielding error, a throwing error, 3 walks, and 2 wild pitches. Thankfully, Tech only score 3 runs to make it a 4-3 lead by Texas.
In the Bottom of the 3rd, the Red Raiders tied the ball game up when LBJ gave up a 2 out solo shot to the nation's leading hitter Damian Bravo off the foul pole, making it 4-4.
In the Top of the 4th inning, the Horns blew gates off the barn as they put up a 7 spot on the Red Raiders pitching staff, chasing starter Kyle Robinson from the game. Kimble Schuessler led off by walking, then Will Gasparino doubled down the LF line. With 2 outs and 2 men on base, Peyton Powell hit a single back up the middle which scored two runs making it 6-4. Jalin Flores then singled to CF, which brought Porter Brown to the plate who demolished a ball to RF (480'), leaving the RF to stand in place and not even take a step as though his feet were in cement, making it 9-4. Not done yet, Rylan Galvan, playing DH since he is out of action due to the tendon in his thumb walked, following by a Max Belyeu walk. Kimble Schuessler then doubled down the 3B line, scoring both runners to make it 11-4. In the Bottom 4th, LBJ walked another batter and threw another wild pitch but was able to keep the Red Raiders off the board.
In the Top of the 5th inning, the Horns smelled blood in the water and went for the knock out. Will Gasparino doubled down the RF line to lead off, followed by a double from Jared Thomas to make it 12-4. Peyton Powell then singled to CF, followed by a Porter Brown walk to load the bases for Rylan Galvan. Cuda as he is known hammered a home run to LF into the wind for a grand slam, making it a 16-4 ball game. In the Bottom of the 5th, LBJ gave up a solo home run to Austin Green to begin the frame, then gave up a double, battled for a strikeout and then walked another batter, the last he would face. Coach Pierce went to the bullpen and brought in LHP Ace Whitehead. Boogie walked the first batter he faced to load the bases with just 1 out, but got a strike out and a fly out to end the scoring threat.
In the Top of the 6th inning, the Horns quickly got back the run given up in the Bottom of the 5th as Jack O'Dowd led off the inning by getting hit in the foot by a pitch, followed by another Will Gasparino double. Jared Thomas flied out to CF, but Peyton Powell drew a walk to load the bases. Jalin Flores struck out for the 2nd out, bringing Porter Brown to the plate with the bases loaded and 2 outs. He battled back from an 0-2 count to draw a walk and earn an RBI in the process. Rylan Galvan then battled back from an 0-2 count to draw a walk, earning himself an RBI as well to make it 18-5.
In the Bottom of the 8th, Ace Whitehead left a pitch over the heart of the plate, giving up a 1 out solo HR to right field, but that was all the Red Raiders could muster.
In the Top of the 9th, the Horns again took advantage of a Texas Tech error as Galvan reached first base, followed by a Max Belyeu single through the left side, followed by a Kimble Schuessler walk to load the bases. Despite a Jack O'Dowd strikeout, the Horns would not go quietly as Will Gasparino capped out a brilliant evening at the plate by hitting a home run to LF into the wind for a grand slam, the Horns 2nd of the night to make it 22-6. In the Bottom of the 9th, Ace Whitehead gave up back to back singles to start the inning, but was able to strike out the next two batters. The Red Raiders would not go quietly though as Davis Rivers hit a double to the gap in left CF to plate two more runs to make it 22-8. Ace Whitehead slammed the door though as he struck out the last batter of the evening, sealing the win for the Horns.
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BIG MOMENT:
Rylan Galvan back in the lineup for the first time since Houston hit a 3 run home run to make it an 11-4 game. Welcome back Cuda!!!
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INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE:
Freshman Will Gasparino takes home the award tonight as he was a monster at the plate, going 5-6 with 4 runs, 4 RBIs, 2 doubles and of course the grand slam. When you get that kind of production from the 9 hole hitter to kick off conference play on the road, from a freshman non the less....BIG TIME!
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TAKEAWAYS:
Despite Lebarron Johnson Jr not having sharp command and the Kimble struggling with receiving behind the plate, the Horns put about as complete performance you could ask for to kick off conference play. The Horns only used one bullpen arm, they got offensive production top to bottom as all nine hitters in the lineup got a hit, and the OF played clean baseball defensively, despite adverse conditions. All in all - a great nice of baseball.
Now, to the other topic which I am sure everyone is dying to ask. What in the world is going on with Texas assistant coach Philip Miller. I began hearing rumors about Miller early in the evening and in checking around a couple of sources, they all confirmed the same thing, he had submitted his resignation on Wednesday. Danny Davis of the Austin-American Statesman sent out a tweet that confirmed from the University of Texas that Philip Miller had requested and been granted a leave of absence from the team. Based on what I have heard, this is not just a leave, it is permanent. That could obviously change if Pierce is able to talk his long time right-hand man into stepping back into the role. I am sure most will ask if Tulo can step into that role and I am told he could, but likely will not. More to come as this develops.
UP NEXT:
Horns face off against Texas Tech tomorrow at 2pm and will look to win the series
