The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Oklahoma State
No. 5 Baseball takes series opener against Oklahoma State, 3-2
04.27.2007 | Baseball
STILLWATER, Okla. -- In a clash between the top two squads in the Big 12 Conference, No. 5 Texas (35-12, 15-4) posted a 3-2 win over No. 12 Oklahoma State (31-11, 10-6) in baseball action at Allie P. Reynolds Stadium.
Nick Peoples set up the game-winning run with a one-out triple to the gap in right centerfield in the top of the seventh inning. After Preston Clark was intentionally walked, OSU's Justin Friend committed a balk allowing Peoples to score for a 3-2 lead.
Oklahoma State (31-11, 10-6 Big 12) took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth. With one out, Tyler Mach was hit by a pitch and Matt Mangini walked to put runners at first and second. A balk by Texas starter James Russell pushed runners to second and third. Rebel Ridling plated Mach with a sacrifice fly and a single to centerfield by Jordy Mercer drove in Mangini.
Russell Moldenhauer hit a leadoff home run over the rightfield fence in the top of the sixth inning to trim the OSU lead to 2-1. The dinger was Moldenhauer's third of the season.
Chance Wheeless provided the equalizer in the top of the sixth inning. With two outs, Wheeless deposited a home run over the rightfield fence to knot the game at 2-2.
Oklahoma State had an opportunity to go ahead in the bottom of the sixth and tie the game in the bottom of the ninth, but both potential rallies were squashed.
In the sixth inning, the Cowboys drew back-to-back walks from Pat McCrory to start the inning. After a sacrifice bunt moved runners to second and third, McCrory fanned Ryan Flavell and Joseph Krebs entered the game and retired Keanon Simon on strikes to get the Longhorns out of the jam.
In the ninth inning, pinch-hitter Donnie Webb drew a lead-off walk off Texas closer Randy Boone. Pinch-hitter Matt Lopez tried a sacrifice bunt, but UT catcher Preston Clark retired pinch-runner Dusty Harvard at second base. Simon singled to rightfield and runners would have been at the corners, but Simon wandered too far from first and was retired in a run down. Boone induced a groundout by Ty Wright to end the game.
Krebs (6-0) picked up the win in relief for Texas as he fanned four of the five batters he faced in 1.2 innings of no-hit relief. Boone earned his 11th save of the season as he pitched 1.2 scoreless innings. He allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two. Russell allowed two runs on five hits and four walks over five innings, while striking out three.
Jeff Breedlove (0-3) was the hard-luck loser for the Cowboys. He allowed three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out a career-high seven over 6.1 innings.
Peoples led Texas offense, going 2-for-4 with one run scored.
Simon and Mercer each had two hits for Oklahoma State.
Texas and Oklahoma State play game two of the three-game series Saturday at 2 p.m.
