The Texas Longhorns (14-3) suited up and dominated the Abilene Christian Wildcats (7-8) on what initially seemed to be just average Wednesday night, but my goodness, it was a whole lot more than just a weekday ballgame.
(Photo via @TexasBaseball on twitter)
Right off the bat (literally), the Longhorn hitters hit the gas pedal. In the first inning, Texas loaded the bases, a first of many times throughout the night, and managed to take a 1-0 lead on a sacrifice fly by Trey Faltine. Next inning, Murphy Stehly walked, moved to second on a fielders choice, advanced to third on a balk, and proceeded to score on a wild pitch; 2-0 UT. That was the night, in a nutshell, for Abilene Christian.
In the third inning, the foot of the Longhorns pushed the pedal to the floor. Zubia started it all off with a missile that landed just short of the Texas Tennis Center.
That was just the beginning. The Wildcats then walked the bases loaded. They cycled through pitcher after pitcher trying to find any sort of answer. However, the momentum continued to build. Wild pitch. Kennedy scores from third. 4-0 Texas. Next batter, Stehly grounds out, Ardoin scores. 5-0 Longhorns. Moments later, the red-hot Austin Todd would drive in another one for the burnt orange and white.
The Longhorns would lead 6-0 through three innings. In the fourth, Ardoin would bat in a run, followed by Stehly driving in two more. That would extend the lead to nind, and it would never take a peak under eight the rest of the way.
While the bats couldn't seem to stop driving in runs, Kolby Kubichek was dealing on the mound. He threw the first four innings, dishing out two strikeouts and only allowing one hit and one walk.
David Pierce complimented Kubichek following the game. "I felt good about what he did. I think that's where he's comfortable, in that starting role." He continued, "Maybe the routine and prep is the best thing for him so that he's able to be prepared."
Kubichek reached his pitch count after four innings and handed the ball over to the Longhorn bullpen the rest of the way. Texas got reps for a variety of pitchers, and they took them in stride. Austin Wallace, Sam Walbridge, Owen Meaney, Will Swope and Justin Eckhardt each took the mound for Texas and only allowed 4 hits and 1 run in total. It was an especially exciting outing for the redshirt freshman, Eckhardt, who got to close out a 9-1 Texas win in his debut.
That's the story of the game.
However, there is a lot more than meets the eye about this one. Towards the end of the game, we learned that the University of Texas had decided to bar fans from attending Longhorn sporting events until March 22 due to fear of a potential COVID-19 outbreak. This would be the last game for at least 10 days that the fans could enjoy from their stadium chairs.
For those who became aware, the thoughts and feelings immediately shifted to events far beyond a baseball game.
Pierce spoke to that after the game, "I just hope that this epidemic gets cleared up. You want to think maybe it's a little public paranoia, but at the same time it sounds pretty serious. We're going to do everything we can to protect our University, our athletic department, and our team." He continued, "It'll be a challenge for us to bring the energy. Hopefully we get to stay together and play the three games. Wouldn't surprise me if there's fan base outside of the stadium."
This was a surreal day to be covering sports. As I walked down the concourse to meet with coach Pierce following the game, I saw the faces of those who are savoring their last moments at the Disch before they aren't allowed to return for some time. Both happy about the game, yet sad about the reality of the situation. Tonight, the players made sure to sign every ball tossed to them by the kids in the stands.
I'll close this with a final quote from an anonymous UT fan as he headed out the gates, "There's nothing they can do about me if I'm outside the fence! No way. I'll be out there in left field, watching my Longhorns!"
Occupy LF may be pretty crowded this weekend.
GAME NOTES:
WP: Kubichek (2-1)
LP: Krawietz (0-1)
Texas pitchers:
-Kubicheck: 4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's
-Wallace: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 4 K's
-Walbridge: 0.1 IP, 1 BB (David Pierce let us know that he failed to tell the staff that he wasn't feeling great, shouldn't have gone into the game)
-Meaney: 1.0 IP, 1 H
-Swope: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 K's
-Eckhardt: 1.0 IP
Attendance: 5068
Texas will host New Mexico this weekend, with no fans in the stands.
Game times:
Friday- 6:30 p.m.
Saturday- 2:30 p.m.
Sunday- 1:00 p.m.
(Photo via @TexasBaseball on twitter)
Right off the bat (literally), the Longhorn hitters hit the gas pedal. In the first inning, Texas loaded the bases, a first of many times throughout the night, and managed to take a 1-0 lead on a sacrifice fly by Trey Faltine. Next inning, Murphy Stehly walked, moved to second on a fielders choice, advanced to third on a balk, and proceeded to score on a wild pitch; 2-0 UT. That was the night, in a nutshell, for Abilene Christian.
In the third inning, the foot of the Longhorns pushed the pedal to the floor. Zubia started it all off with a missile that landed just short of the Texas Tennis Center.
That was just the beginning. The Wildcats then walked the bases loaded. They cycled through pitcher after pitcher trying to find any sort of answer. However, the momentum continued to build. Wild pitch. Kennedy scores from third. 4-0 Texas. Next batter, Stehly grounds out, Ardoin scores. 5-0 Longhorns. Moments later, the red-hot Austin Todd would drive in another one for the burnt orange and white.
The Longhorns would lead 6-0 through three innings. In the fourth, Ardoin would bat in a run, followed by Stehly driving in two more. That would extend the lead to nind, and it would never take a peak under eight the rest of the way.
While the bats couldn't seem to stop driving in runs, Kolby Kubichek was dealing on the mound. He threw the first four innings, dishing out two strikeouts and only allowing one hit and one walk.
David Pierce complimented Kubichek following the game. "I felt good about what he did. I think that's where he's comfortable, in that starting role." He continued, "Maybe the routine and prep is the best thing for him so that he's able to be prepared."
Kubichek reached his pitch count after four innings and handed the ball over to the Longhorn bullpen the rest of the way. Texas got reps for a variety of pitchers, and they took them in stride. Austin Wallace, Sam Walbridge, Owen Meaney, Will Swope and Justin Eckhardt each took the mound for Texas and only allowed 4 hits and 1 run in total. It was an especially exciting outing for the redshirt freshman, Eckhardt, who got to close out a 9-1 Texas win in his debut.
That's the story of the game.
However, there is a lot more than meets the eye about this one. Towards the end of the game, we learned that the University of Texas had decided to bar fans from attending Longhorn sporting events until March 22 due to fear of a potential COVID-19 outbreak. This would be the last game for at least 10 days that the fans could enjoy from their stadium chairs.
For those who became aware, the thoughts and feelings immediately shifted to events far beyond a baseball game.
Pierce spoke to that after the game, "I just hope that this epidemic gets cleared up. You want to think maybe it's a little public paranoia, but at the same time it sounds pretty serious. We're going to do everything we can to protect our University, our athletic department, and our team." He continued, "It'll be a challenge for us to bring the energy. Hopefully we get to stay together and play the three games. Wouldn't surprise me if there's fan base outside of the stadium."
This was a surreal day to be covering sports. As I walked down the concourse to meet with coach Pierce following the game, I saw the faces of those who are savoring their last moments at the Disch before they aren't allowed to return for some time. Both happy about the game, yet sad about the reality of the situation. Tonight, the players made sure to sign every ball tossed to them by the kids in the stands.
I'll close this with a final quote from an anonymous UT fan as he headed out the gates, "There's nothing they can do about me if I'm outside the fence! No way. I'll be out there in left field, watching my Longhorns!"
Occupy LF may be pretty crowded this weekend.
GAME NOTES:
WP: Kubichek (2-1)
LP: Krawietz (0-1)
Texas pitchers:
-Kubicheck: 4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's
-Wallace: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 4 K's
-Walbridge: 0.1 IP, 1 BB (David Pierce let us know that he failed to tell the staff that he wasn't feeling great, shouldn't have gone into the game)
-Meaney: 1.0 IP, 1 H
-Swope: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 K's
-Eckhardt: 1.0 IP
Attendance: 5068
Texas will host New Mexico this weekend, with no fans in the stands.
Game times:
Friday- 6:30 p.m.
Saturday- 2:30 p.m.
Sunday- 1:00 p.m.
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