FINAL
Oklahoma State - 8
Texas - 14
Winning Pitcher: Drew Rerick (1-0)
Losing Pitcher: Noah Wech (0-2)
RECAP:
The game certainly did not start the way that the Horns would have liked it to as Oklahoma State took advantage of some shaky command by Kade Bing to put up a 2 spot in the Top 1st inning. The good news is that the Horns have some boppers on the team and quickly tied the game up in the Bottom 1st as Adrian Rodriguez and Max Belyeu both went yard.
Max Grubbs who had come in to pitch for Bing in the Top of the 1st gave up a 1 out single in the Top 2nd, but that was it as he kept the Pokes off the board. Unfortunately, the Horns were not able to take advantage of a throwing error in the Bottom 2nd which put Jalin Flores on base with not outs and Rylan Galvan on base with a 1 out single laced off the pitcher.
In the Top 3rd, the Horns turned to freshman LHP Dylan Volantis. He got the first batter to strikeout, but then gave up a hard hit single to the left side. After racking up another strikeout, he left a pitch over the heart of the plate and the veteran Ian Daugherty took advantage, planting into the LF stands to give the Cowboys a 4-2 lead. The Longhorns once again battled back though as freshman Adrian Rodriguez led off the bottom half of the frame with a double. After Tommy Farmer struck out looking, Max Belyeu collected a single and then Will Gasparino hit a double down the LF line plating Rodriguez to pull the Horns within one. That was all that they could muster though in the 3rd.
In the Top 4th, Volantis walked the first batter and then saw the second batter reach on what was ruled a fielding error on Mendoza, which saw a hard hit bunt hit right to him, but the runner going from 1B to 2B nearly collided with him and obstructed his view. Oklahoma State again went to the sac bunt to move the runners over 90ft to 2B and 3B. After Volantis got a strikeout, he walked Nolan Schubart to load the bases, but battled back and got Jayson Jones looking for strike 3 called on a slider that painted the outside corner to end the threat.
The Horns tied up the game in the Bottom 4th as they took advantage of some shaky command from the Pokes rotation. Rylan Galvan led off with a walk, followed by a Ethan Mendoza walk, followed by a Kimble Schuessler walk to load the bases with no outs. Adrian Rodriguez again came though in the clutch and was able to drive in a run home to tie the game at 4-4. Unfortunately, the Horns were not able to capitalize and failed to take the lead.
In the Top 5th, freshman RHP Drew Rerick came in to pitch, quickly getting the first two batters out. He then had to labor a little as he gave up a seeing eye single and walked a batter, but battled back to get the fly out to end the top half of the frame. That led to the Horns offense coming to life in the bottom half of the frame.
In the Bottom of the 5th, Jalin Flores led off by striking out, bringing freshman Cole Chamberlain to the plate. Cole was able to walk putting a man on 1B. Rylan Galvan then struck out in the next at-bat, bringing Ethan Mendoza to the plate with 2 outs. Ethan hit a fly ball to RF that was tailing away from Nolan Schubart and he ended up having it bounce off his glove, allowing the Horns to plate a run, giving them the 5-4 lead. Not finished yet, Kimble Schuessler then reached on a throwing error by the shortstop, plating Mendoza to make it 6-4 Horns. Adrian Rodriguez again came through by hitting a double down the LF line putting runners on 2B and 3B for Tommy Farmer, who hit a single to LF plating two runs to make it 8-4 Horns. Max Belyeu kept the train going by hitting a double down the RF line to play Tommy to make it 9-4 Horns. That brought Will Gasparino to the plate and he hammered a pitch to LF for a two run HR to make it 11-4 Horns, forcing the Pokes to go to the pen once again. Jalin Flores, back to the plate again hit a hard grounder to the left side for a single and then stole 2B. Cole Chamberlain, at the plate for his second time in the frame drew a walk, followed by a Rylan Galvan walk to load the bases once again. The Cowboys relief pitcher threw a wild pitch, plating Jalin Flores to make it 12-4 Horns
In the Top 6th, the Horns went back to the bullpen and brought in Grayson Saunier to pitch. He got the first batter on a fly out, but gave up a double to next hitter, followed by a walk. After striking out the next batter, Saunier gave up a single down the RF line plating a run for the Cowboys to make it 12-5 Horns.
In the Bottom 6th, the Horns got a lead off single by Schuessler, but the Cowboys were able to turn a double play and then get a strikeout to prevent any damage.
In the Top 7th, Cody Howard entered the game in relief of Saunier. He walked the first batter on four straight balls, but was bailed out as Jalin Flores made an outstanding stop and flip to Mendoza at 2B who bare handed it and fired to 1B in time to complete the 6-4-3 double play.
In the Bottom 7th, Max Belyeu led off with a single up the middle and then stole 2B. Will Gasparino struck out swinging for the first out, but Jalin Flores hit a single through the left side to put runners on the corners with just 1 out. Casey Borba, pinch hitting for Cole Chamberlain hit a deep fly ball to CF, plating Belyeu to make it 13-5 Horns.
In the Top 8th, Howard was back on the mound, but not for long as he gave up a single and then threw a wild pitch, followed by a walk, prompting a visit from Coach Schlossnagle. In came Aiden Moffet who threw a wild pitch and then issued a walk, which loaded the bases with no outs. Schlossnagle was out once again with the quick hook to bring in Will Mercer. On the first pitch he threw, Mercer gave up a sac fly which made it a 13-6 ball game. Mercer then threw a wild pitch of his own, before giving up an 2 run RBI single to make it a 13-8 ball game. Thankfully Mercer was able to get the next two outs without any more damage.
In the Bottom 8th, Ethan Mendoza led off with a walk, but advanced to 2B on a Schuessler foul out, in which Mendoza was able to tag and scoot down to 2B under the tag. Adrian Rodriguez then hit a single to RF and stole 2B, putting two runners on with just 1 out. Tommy Farmer then drew a walk, prompting yet another pitching change for the Pokes. After Max Belyeu struck out swinging, chasing a slider low and away, Will Gasparino was able to draw a walk, playing Mendoza from 3B and making it 14-8 Horns.
In the Top 9th, Andre Duplantier came in to pitch and depist giving up a lead off double to CF, battled back and get the three outs required to seal the game.
BIG MOMENT:
The fielding error by RF Nolan Schubart on what should have been a standard pop fly to RF by Ethan Mendoza altered the complexion of the game. Instead of being out of the inning, the Longhorns took the lead and busted open the game shortly thereafter.
INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE:
Freshman Adrian Rodriguez and Junior Max Belyeu carried the torch tonight for the team.
A-Rod Stats: 4-6, 3 Runs, 4 Hits, 2 RBI, 2 Doubles, 1 HR, 1 SB
Belyeu Stats: 4-5; 3 Runs, 4 Hits, 2 RBI, 1 Double, 1 HR, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 SB
TAKEAWAYS:
Gutsy performance to go down early in the 1st inning, but immediately answer back. Every time that the Horns went down, they immediately responded. Yes, they did not take full advantage when they had a couple of opportunities, but the Horns are also not going to lose many games in which they score 14 points. The product isn't finished, but there is some great clay to work with. There are numerous areas that you can already see improvement by the staff.
The pitching rotation and roles in the bullpen are still a work in progress, but do not forget that Oklahoma State has one of the best offenses in the nation. One of the best hitters in the nation, Nolan Schubart did draw 3 walks, but ended up going 0-2 on the night with a strikeout and 0 hits and 0 RBIs.
Hitting wise, yes there are strikeouts. Yes, there are areas to improve upon. Hell, if there weren't I would be very worried. After scoring just 3 runs in the opener, Texas scored 24 runs in the final two games against Ole Miss and ranked Oklahoma State. This is a successful weekend. This helps the RPI. This weekend also helps set the tone for the season. Will Texas win every game? Of course not. There are going to be loses and rough stretches, but I like what I saw overall from a team make up and I like how I saw the team respond at every juncture.
Oh and one last point...the curse of Globe Life is dead!
NEXT UP:
Texas will host Houston Cougars on Tuesday at 630pm for the home opener (weather permitting)
Oklahoma State - 8
Texas - 14
Winning Pitcher: Drew Rerick (1-0)
Losing Pitcher: Noah Wech (0-2)
RECAP:
The game certainly did not start the way that the Horns would have liked it to as Oklahoma State took advantage of some shaky command by Kade Bing to put up a 2 spot in the Top 1st inning. The good news is that the Horns have some boppers on the team and quickly tied the game up in the Bottom 1st as Adrian Rodriguez and Max Belyeu both went yard.
Max Grubbs who had come in to pitch for Bing in the Top of the 1st gave up a 1 out single in the Top 2nd, but that was it as he kept the Pokes off the board. Unfortunately, the Horns were not able to take advantage of a throwing error in the Bottom 2nd which put Jalin Flores on base with not outs and Rylan Galvan on base with a 1 out single laced off the pitcher.
In the Top 3rd, the Horns turned to freshman LHP Dylan Volantis. He got the first batter to strikeout, but then gave up a hard hit single to the left side. After racking up another strikeout, he left a pitch over the heart of the plate and the veteran Ian Daugherty took advantage, planting into the LF stands to give the Cowboys a 4-2 lead. The Longhorns once again battled back though as freshman Adrian Rodriguez led off the bottom half of the frame with a double. After Tommy Farmer struck out looking, Max Belyeu collected a single and then Will Gasparino hit a double down the LF line plating Rodriguez to pull the Horns within one. That was all that they could muster though in the 3rd.
In the Top 4th, Volantis walked the first batter and then saw the second batter reach on what was ruled a fielding error on Mendoza, which saw a hard hit bunt hit right to him, but the runner going from 1B to 2B nearly collided with him and obstructed his view. Oklahoma State again went to the sac bunt to move the runners over 90ft to 2B and 3B. After Volantis got a strikeout, he walked Nolan Schubart to load the bases, but battled back and got Jayson Jones looking for strike 3 called on a slider that painted the outside corner to end the threat.
The Horns tied up the game in the Bottom 4th as they took advantage of some shaky command from the Pokes rotation. Rylan Galvan led off with a walk, followed by a Ethan Mendoza walk, followed by a Kimble Schuessler walk to load the bases with no outs. Adrian Rodriguez again came though in the clutch and was able to drive in a run home to tie the game at 4-4. Unfortunately, the Horns were not able to capitalize and failed to take the lead.
In the Top 5th, freshman RHP Drew Rerick came in to pitch, quickly getting the first two batters out. He then had to labor a little as he gave up a seeing eye single and walked a batter, but battled back to get the fly out to end the top half of the frame. That led to the Horns offense coming to life in the bottom half of the frame.
In the Bottom of the 5th, Jalin Flores led off by striking out, bringing freshman Cole Chamberlain to the plate. Cole was able to walk putting a man on 1B. Rylan Galvan then struck out in the next at-bat, bringing Ethan Mendoza to the plate with 2 outs. Ethan hit a fly ball to RF that was tailing away from Nolan Schubart and he ended up having it bounce off his glove, allowing the Horns to plate a run, giving them the 5-4 lead. Not finished yet, Kimble Schuessler then reached on a throwing error by the shortstop, plating Mendoza to make it 6-4 Horns. Adrian Rodriguez again came through by hitting a double down the LF line putting runners on 2B and 3B for Tommy Farmer, who hit a single to LF plating two runs to make it 8-4 Horns. Max Belyeu kept the train going by hitting a double down the RF line to play Tommy to make it 9-4 Horns. That brought Will Gasparino to the plate and he hammered a pitch to LF for a two run HR to make it 11-4 Horns, forcing the Pokes to go to the pen once again. Jalin Flores, back to the plate again hit a hard grounder to the left side for a single and then stole 2B. Cole Chamberlain, at the plate for his second time in the frame drew a walk, followed by a Rylan Galvan walk to load the bases once again. The Cowboys relief pitcher threw a wild pitch, plating Jalin Flores to make it 12-4 Horns
In the Top 6th, the Horns went back to the bullpen and brought in Grayson Saunier to pitch. He got the first batter on a fly out, but gave up a double to next hitter, followed by a walk. After striking out the next batter, Saunier gave up a single down the RF line plating a run for the Cowboys to make it 12-5 Horns.
In the Bottom 6th, the Horns got a lead off single by Schuessler, but the Cowboys were able to turn a double play and then get a strikeout to prevent any damage.
In the Top 7th, Cody Howard entered the game in relief of Saunier. He walked the first batter on four straight balls, but was bailed out as Jalin Flores made an outstanding stop and flip to Mendoza at 2B who bare handed it and fired to 1B in time to complete the 6-4-3 double play.
In the Bottom 7th, Max Belyeu led off with a single up the middle and then stole 2B. Will Gasparino struck out swinging for the first out, but Jalin Flores hit a single through the left side to put runners on the corners with just 1 out. Casey Borba, pinch hitting for Cole Chamberlain hit a deep fly ball to CF, plating Belyeu to make it 13-5 Horns.
In the Top 8th, Howard was back on the mound, but not for long as he gave up a single and then threw a wild pitch, followed by a walk, prompting a visit from Coach Schlossnagle. In came Aiden Moffet who threw a wild pitch and then issued a walk, which loaded the bases with no outs. Schlossnagle was out once again with the quick hook to bring in Will Mercer. On the first pitch he threw, Mercer gave up a sac fly which made it a 13-6 ball game. Mercer then threw a wild pitch of his own, before giving up an 2 run RBI single to make it a 13-8 ball game. Thankfully Mercer was able to get the next two outs without any more damage.
In the Bottom 8th, Ethan Mendoza led off with a walk, but advanced to 2B on a Schuessler foul out, in which Mendoza was able to tag and scoot down to 2B under the tag. Adrian Rodriguez then hit a single to RF and stole 2B, putting two runners on with just 1 out. Tommy Farmer then drew a walk, prompting yet another pitching change for the Pokes. After Max Belyeu struck out swinging, chasing a slider low and away, Will Gasparino was able to draw a walk, playing Mendoza from 3B and making it 14-8 Horns.
In the Top 9th, Andre Duplantier came in to pitch and depist giving up a lead off double to CF, battled back and get the three outs required to seal the game.
BIG MOMENT:
The fielding error by RF Nolan Schubart on what should have been a standard pop fly to RF by Ethan Mendoza altered the complexion of the game. Instead of being out of the inning, the Longhorns took the lead and busted open the game shortly thereafter.
INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE:
Freshman Adrian Rodriguez and Junior Max Belyeu carried the torch tonight for the team.
A-Rod Stats: 4-6, 3 Runs, 4 Hits, 2 RBI, 2 Doubles, 1 HR, 1 SB
Belyeu Stats: 4-5; 3 Runs, 4 Hits, 2 RBI, 1 Double, 1 HR, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 SB
TAKEAWAYS:
Gutsy performance to go down early in the 1st inning, but immediately answer back. Every time that the Horns went down, they immediately responded. Yes, they did not take full advantage when they had a couple of opportunities, but the Horns are also not going to lose many games in which they score 14 points. The product isn't finished, but there is some great clay to work with. There are numerous areas that you can already see improvement by the staff.
The pitching rotation and roles in the bullpen are still a work in progress, but do not forget that Oklahoma State has one of the best offenses in the nation. One of the best hitters in the nation, Nolan Schubart did draw 3 walks, but ended up going 0-2 on the night with a strikeout and 0 hits and 0 RBIs.
Hitting wise, yes there are strikeouts. Yes, there are areas to improve upon. Hell, if there weren't I would be very worried. After scoring just 3 runs in the opener, Texas scored 24 runs in the final two games against Ole Miss and ranked Oklahoma State. This is a successful weekend. This helps the RPI. This weekend also helps set the tone for the season. Will Texas win every game? Of course not. There are going to be loses and rough stretches, but I like what I saw overall from a team make up and I like how I saw the team respond at every juncture.
Oh and one last point...the curse of Globe Life is dead!
NEXT UP:
Texas will host Houston Cougars on Tuesday at 630pm for the home opener (weather permitting)
