The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Tennessee
Baseball drops Houston College Classic opener to Tennessee, 5-4
02.29.2008 | Baseball
HOUSTON -- The Texas Longhorns suffered their first loss of the season, dropping a 5-4 decision to Tennessee Friday evening in first-day action at the Houston College Classic at Minute Maid Park.
The Longhorns (5-1) were unable to capitalize on seven extra base hits, including four doubles and three triples.
The Texas offense was paced by Preston Clark, Brandon Belt and David Hernandez with two hits apiece. Clark went 2-for-4 with two doubles and one run. Belt went 2-for-4 with one double, one triple, one run and one RBI. Hernandez went 2-for-4 with one triple and one RBI.
Blake Forsythe scored three of Tennessee's five runs as he went 1-for-2 with two walks. Andy Simunic and Kentrail Davis each went 2-for-4 with Simunic scoring a run and Davis driving in a pair.
Steve Crnkovich (2-0) picked up the win for the Volunteers. He yielded three runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out three over 6.1 innings. Jeff Lockwood retired all three batters he faced in the ninth to earn his second save of the season.
Austin Wood (1-1) was saddled with the loss. He allowed three runs, two earned, on four hits and four walks while striking out one over six innings.
Texas returns to action on Saturday with the Longhorns playing No. 15 Rice at 7 p.m.
