FINAL
Texas (0-1, 0-0 SEC) - 3
Louisville (1-0, 0-0 ACC) - 4
Winning Pitcher: Tucker Bevin (1-0)
Losing Pitcher: Will Mercer (0-1)
RECAP
After trading strikeouts in the first inning, the Horns struck first offensively in the Top 2nd when Max Belyeu led off with a double down the left field line, soon followed by a two run blast by Will Gasparino (106 off the bat, 393') to right field, giving the Horns an early 2-0 lead.
On the mound, LHP Jared Spencer did an outstanding job of using his fastball, slider, and changeup to keep the Cardinal offense at bay, while racking up 6 strikeouts. Unfortunately, the Horns offense couldn't build upon the early 2-0 lead as Louisville starter RHP Patrick Forbes was sensational on the night, racking up 11 Ks while walking just 1 in 5 innings. Relievers Justin West and Jack Brown combined to throw an additional 4 scoreless innings to keep the Cardinals in the game.
After taking over from starter Jared Spencer in the Bottom of the 6th, Ruger Riojas ran out of gas in the Bottom 9th as he gave up a lead off single, followed by a strikeout and then a double, putting men on 2B and 3B with just 1 out. LHP Will Mercer came in to pitch and shut things down and immediately got a strikeout, but then gave up a 2 run RBI single through the right side to tie the ball game up at 2 each, sending the game to extra innings.
Louisville went back to the pen to bring in their best arm and star closer Tucker Bevin in the Top 10th to keep the Horns off the board and give them a chance to walk it off. Bevin got Kimble Schuessler to strikout swining to lead off the inning with an outstanding fastball/slider mix. That brought freshman Adrian Rodriguez, who was 0-4 at that point with 3 strikeouts to his name one the night to the plate. On a 1-2 count, Bevin left a slider over the plate and Adrian used his strength to turn on it and hit it 390' for a solo blast, giving the Horns a 3-2 lead. Jalin Flores and Max Belyeu were each able to reach base with just one out following that, but unfortunately Tommy Farmer and Will Gasparino could not add any additional insurance, which would prove costly.
In the Bottom 10th, Texas stuck with Will Mercer on the mound, looking to close out the game. Unfortunately Mercer's fastball was flat and he gave up a lead off double to Kamau Neighbors, who then advanced to 3B on a sac bunt. The next batter took advantage of a poor slider over the plate, hitting a RBI single up the middle to tie the game up. The next batter then drew a walk forcing Coach Schlossnagle to go to the pen once again, this time bringing in Andre Duplantier.
With runners on 1B and 2B, Duplantier and Rylan Galvan got their signals mixes which resulted in a poorly placed breaking ball to careen off the glove of Galvan, moving the runners up to 2B and 3B with just 1 out. Duplantier battled back to get Eddie King Jr to strike out, but followed that up by hitting Jake Munroe with a slider low and inside to load the bases with 2 outs. That did not end up mattering though as the next batter hit a fastball over the heart of the plate to left field for an RBI walk-off single.
The loss sees Texas drop their opener for the 2025 season. The loss also represents the 9th straight loss at Globe Life Park dating back to the final game of the 2022 Big 12 Championship against Oklahoma. Since 2021, Texas is now 5-14 at Globe Life Field.
The Horns will look to bounce back against SEC foe Ole Miss tomorrow night at 7pm.
BIG MOMENT
Who else but Adrian Rodriguez who got his first career hit as a Longhorn with a solo blast in the 10th inning to give the Horns the lead.
INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE
LHP Jared Spencer gave the Horns 5.2 innings outstanding pitching, scattering 4 hits, giving up 0 runs, and striking out 6.
POST GAME COMMENTS FROM SCHLOSSNAGLE
TAKEAWAYS
The question marks coming into the season was about what would the pitching look like. Not just the starting rotation, but also who would be the closer since Gage Boehm was no longer on campus. This is the first game of at least fifty six games, so there is zero reason to freak out, but it does illustrate that this is not a finished product by any means. This is a team that will have to continue to work and grow up. There are going to be freshman moments. There are going to be off nights offensively and pitching. This was a really good early test against a solid team that has an outstanding frontline ace. It is not like Texas got beat by a small northern school that hasn't been outside in months. So have patience and watch the boys grow, it is the first game and there are enough positives from the game to not be worried.
NEXT UP
The Horns (0-1) will take on Ole Miss (1-0) on Saturday night at 7pm. The Rebels are coming off a close victory against #21 Arizona in their opening game.
Texas (0-1, 0-0 SEC) - 3
Louisville (1-0, 0-0 ACC) - 4
Winning Pitcher: Tucker Bevin (1-0)
Losing Pitcher: Will Mercer (0-1)
RECAP
After trading strikeouts in the first inning, the Horns struck first offensively in the Top 2nd when Max Belyeu led off with a double down the left field line, soon followed by a two run blast by Will Gasparino (106 off the bat, 393') to right field, giving the Horns an early 2-0 lead.
On the mound, LHP Jared Spencer did an outstanding job of using his fastball, slider, and changeup to keep the Cardinal offense at bay, while racking up 6 strikeouts. Unfortunately, the Horns offense couldn't build upon the early 2-0 lead as Louisville starter RHP Patrick Forbes was sensational on the night, racking up 11 Ks while walking just 1 in 5 innings. Relievers Justin West and Jack Brown combined to throw an additional 4 scoreless innings to keep the Cardinals in the game.
After taking over from starter Jared Spencer in the Bottom of the 6th, Ruger Riojas ran out of gas in the Bottom 9th as he gave up a lead off single, followed by a strikeout and then a double, putting men on 2B and 3B with just 1 out. LHP Will Mercer came in to pitch and shut things down and immediately got a strikeout, but then gave up a 2 run RBI single through the right side to tie the ball game up at 2 each, sending the game to extra innings.
Louisville went back to the pen to bring in their best arm and star closer Tucker Bevin in the Top 10th to keep the Horns off the board and give them a chance to walk it off. Bevin got Kimble Schuessler to strikout swining to lead off the inning with an outstanding fastball/slider mix. That brought freshman Adrian Rodriguez, who was 0-4 at that point with 3 strikeouts to his name one the night to the plate. On a 1-2 count, Bevin left a slider over the plate and Adrian used his strength to turn on it and hit it 390' for a solo blast, giving the Horns a 3-2 lead. Jalin Flores and Max Belyeu were each able to reach base with just one out following that, but unfortunately Tommy Farmer and Will Gasparino could not add any additional insurance, which would prove costly.
In the Bottom 10th, Texas stuck with Will Mercer on the mound, looking to close out the game. Unfortunately Mercer's fastball was flat and he gave up a lead off double to Kamau Neighbors, who then advanced to 3B on a sac bunt. The next batter took advantage of a poor slider over the plate, hitting a RBI single up the middle to tie the game up. The next batter then drew a walk forcing Coach Schlossnagle to go to the pen once again, this time bringing in Andre Duplantier.
With runners on 1B and 2B, Duplantier and Rylan Galvan got their signals mixes which resulted in a poorly placed breaking ball to careen off the glove of Galvan, moving the runners up to 2B and 3B with just 1 out. Duplantier battled back to get Eddie King Jr to strike out, but followed that up by hitting Jake Munroe with a slider low and inside to load the bases with 2 outs. That did not end up mattering though as the next batter hit a fastball over the heart of the plate to left field for an RBI walk-off single.
The loss sees Texas drop their opener for the 2025 season. The loss also represents the 9th straight loss at Globe Life Park dating back to the final game of the 2022 Big 12 Championship against Oklahoma. Since 2021, Texas is now 5-14 at Globe Life Field.
The Horns will look to bounce back against SEC foe Ole Miss tomorrow night at 7pm.
BIG MOMENT
Who else but Adrian Rodriguez who got his first career hit as a Longhorn with a solo blast in the 10th inning to give the Horns the lead.
INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE
LHP Jared Spencer gave the Horns 5.2 innings outstanding pitching, scattering 4 hits, giving up 0 runs, and striking out 6.
POST GAME COMMENTS FROM SCHLOSSNAGLE
- Gotta give Louisville credit, they pitched really well.
- Texas didn't do enough offensively
- Ruger was good, but we were playing a good team, not some team from up north and they got the best of us tonight
- There is a lot to learn from this and good take aways
- Tough game at the plate for Adrian, had 3Ks, but stayed with his approach and got the HR. Impressive
- Team is a work in progress. Hate that it had to go the way it did tonight, but be back at it tomorrow
TAKEAWAYS
The question marks coming into the season was about what would the pitching look like. Not just the starting rotation, but also who would be the closer since Gage Boehm was no longer on campus. This is the first game of at least fifty six games, so there is zero reason to freak out, but it does illustrate that this is not a finished product by any means. This is a team that will have to continue to work and grow up. There are going to be freshman moments. There are going to be off nights offensively and pitching. This was a really good early test against a solid team that has an outstanding frontline ace. It is not like Texas got beat by a small northern school that hasn't been outside in months. So have patience and watch the boys grow, it is the first game and there are enough positives from the game to not be worried.
NEXT UP
The Horns (0-1) will take on Ole Miss (1-0) on Saturday night at 7pm. The Rebels are coming off a close victory against #21 Arizona in their opening game.
