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FINAL
Texas - 2
Oklahoma State - 7
Winning Pitcher: Carson Benge (2-1)
Losing Pitcher: Lebarron Johnson Jr (2-4)
With the loss, the Horns fall to 30-19 on the season and 15-9 in Big 12 play.
RECAP
Unlike the past two games, the Horns got beat in all aspects today. The pitching staff didn't throw far enough strikes, the hitters had a ton of non-competitive at-bats, and the defense missed a couple of opportunities. Overall, the Horns did not handle "success" very well against a solid ball club and it seemed like Oklahoma State had that edge more so today than the Horns.
Still, the Horns still won the series against the Pokes, but the opportunity was there and the Horns failed to take it, which was disappointing.
Going into the Top 4th, LBJ had pitched two outstanding innings in the 1st and 2nd and had done well enough to get out of trouble in the 3rd. Unfortunately, after getting a ground out by the first batter, LBJ gave up a solo shot to starting pitcher/DH Carson Benge to give the Pokes a 1-0 lead. The next batter up was the dangerous Nolan Schubart who proceeded to hit a single to RF. LBJ battled back to get a line out from Aidan Meola, but then Colin Brueggemann hit a fastball to nearly the same spot as Carson Benge for a two run HR, putting the Pokes up 3-0.
In the Top 5th, the Pokes tacked on another run as they got a 1 out single from lead off man Jaxson Crull, who then stole 2B, and was then brought in when Zach Ehrhard hit a double to LF to make it 4-0 Pokes.
In the Top 7th, Casey Borba misses a pop fly in foul territory by Zach Ehrhard, and then Chase Lummus walked Ehrhard on the very next pitch. Lummus then walked Carson Benge, before battling back to get a strike out of Nolan Schubart on a 78mph slider down in the dirt. Coach Pierce went to the pen and brought in Andre Duplantier who struck out Aidan Meola on three pitches, but then walked Colin Brueggemann as the rain began pouring from the heavens. The very next batter, Lane Forsythe earned a walk, his 3rd of the day to bring in the first walk of the inning, Zach Ehrhard, making it 5-0 Pokes.
In the Bottom 7th, Rylan Galvan lined out to the SS, followed by a strikeout by Will Gasparino. David Pierce brought in Jack O'Dowd to pinch hit for Dee Kennedy and on a 2-1 count, O'Dowd ambushed a pitch over the heart of the plate, hitting it to left CF to make it 5-1 Pokes. Unfortunately, Jared Thomas struck out, ending any thought of a 2 out rally.
In the Top 9th, LHP David Shaw came into pitch for Heston Tole and hit the first batter he faced on a 3-2 count. Nolan Schubart then mashed a pitch from Shaw to CF off the wall for an double, putting runners on 2B and 3B with no outs. After Aidan Meola struck out, Colin Brueggemann hit a single off David Shaw to RF for a 2 run RBI single, making it 7-1 Pokes.
In the Bottom 9th, Kimble Schuessler ambushed a 2-1 fastball over the heart of the plate, planting it onto the street in LF past the Yeti Yard, making it 7-2 Pokes. Unfortunately, the Horns went down 1-2-3 after that, ending any possibility of a comeback.
Overall, a very frustrating day at the office offensively as the Horns scored 2 runs on 4 hits, leaving 7 on base.
BIG MOMENT
Top 4th, starting pitcher Carson Benge hit a 1 out solo shot to CF and shortly there after Colin Brueggemann hit a 2 run HR to nearly the same spot. That was all that the Pokes needed offensively on the day as Benge kept the Horns off balance all day long.
INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE
Carson Benge wins the award as the Horns really did not do anything of note.
Benge went 6.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 5 K
Offensively, Benge went 1-2, 2 Runs, 1 RBI, 1 HR, 1 BB, 1 HBP
TAKEAWAYS
Yesterday, the Horns put together really competitive at-bats each and every time through the lineup. Today, there were far too many non-competitive at-bats where the Horns chased outside or were not patient. Baseball can be a cruel sport at times, but the Horns just did not put together very good at-bats against Carson Benge, who historically has been a guy who pitches to contact.
The pitchers, particularly the bullpen did not throw enough strikes today. On the day the Horns used 8 pitchers, searching for some level of success, but not finding much.
The loss snaps a 5 game winning streak and with the other results being what they are in the Big 12, the Horns are now in a 3 way tie for 2nd place with Oklahoma State and West Virginia.
Next Up:
Horns travel to Orlando to take on UCF for a three-game series (Fri at 5pm, Sat at 5pm, and Sun at 12pm CST)
