Photo Texas Christian University Athletics
For the second week in a row, the Texas Longhorns found themselves locked in an extra-inning game in their series opener, and for the second week in a row, it ended in a loss.
This time, it was a tough 3-2 loss to the rival Oklahoma Sooners in 12 innings. The go-ahead run came across in the top of the 12th inning thanks to an Austin O’Brien two-out RBI single that scored Craig Aikin.
Before this one ended up in extra innings, both teams got outstanding starting pitching. For the Sooners, Jake Elliott threw seven innings, giving up five hits and two runs (one earned). Texas got a similar start from Parker French. The veteran righty threw 7.2 innings, giving up nine hits and two runs (one earned). Kudos are also due for the OU bullpen trio of Keaton Hernandez, Ralph Garza, Jr., and Jacob Evans. Those three combined to throw five scoreless innings, giving up just two hits and two walks.
Offensively, OU got a 3-for-6 day from first baseman Anthony Hermelyn, and for the Longhorns, Michael Cantu was 2-for-5.
Both teams need this series badly. Oklahoma is trying to stay on the inside of the postseason bubble, and Texas is desperately trying to put an end to this long, nasty skid they are in. With the loss, the Longhorns fell to 18-16 and 5-5 in Big 12 play.
Kansas State Upsets TCU
In the most surprising result of the Big 12 action on Friday, the Kansas State Wildcats beat TCU 14-4. No one the Horned Frogs threw out there could stop the sizzling K-State offense. The Wildcats plated six runs off of TCU starter Mitchell Traver in just two-thirds of an inning. They scored four off of Brian Howard in his 5.1 innings, and they scored four more against Drew Gooch in his two innings of work.
On the other side, KSU starter Colton Kalmus wasn’t sparkling, but he didn’t need to be. He threw 6.2 innings, giving up five hits and three runs (two earned) with two walks and three strikeouts.
When you score 14 runs, you are going to have some big individual days from guys in your lineup, and that was certainly the case here for the Wildcats. Leadoff hitter Carter Yagi was 3-for-4 with three runs scored. Tyler Wolfe was 4-for-5, and Max Brown was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and four RBI.
Red Raiders Get Pivotal Series-Opening Win
Texas Tech beat Baylor 8-4 in the opener of a series between two teams looking for consistency in Big 12 play. The Red Raider offense kept the pressure on all game, eventually plating seven runs off of Baylor starter Daniel Castano in his 6.1 innings.
Tech leadoff hitter Zach Davis went 3-for-5, and Stephen Smith added his fifth home run of the season. On the mound, Ryan Moseley threw six innings, giving up four hits and one run with four walks and eight strikeouts.
Oklahoma State Continues Winning Ways
The Cowboys scored a 7-2 win over Kansas on the back of a quality start from Jon Perrin (6 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 6 K) and a three-RBI day from catcher Bryan Case.
KU starter Ben Krauth got hung with the loss after allowing four runs in 6.1 innings, but the defense didn’t do him any favors, as all four runs were unearned. Offensively for the Jayhawks, Blair Beck hit his sixth home run of the season.
West Virginia Outlasts Butler
In non-conference action, the Mountaineers beat the Butler Bulldogs 6-5 in 13 innings. The WVU offense was led by nine-hole hitter KC Huth, who was 4-for-6 on the night. First baseman Jackson Cramer went just 1-for-6, but he made that one hit count, as it was his fourth home run of the season. After starting pitcher Conner Dotson lasted just three innings, the Mountaineers got fantastic relief work out of B.J. Myers (7.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K).
