The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
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Kansas
Cameron Rupp powers No. 19 Baseball to 8-6 win in Big 12 opener vs. KU
03.14.2008 | Baseball
AUSTIN, Texas -- Freshman catcher Cameron Rupp hit a pair of home runs and drove in five runs to lead the No. 19 Texas Longhorns to an 8-6 win over the Kansas Jayhawks in Big 12 Conference baseball action Friday evening at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
With Texas trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the third, Rupp delivered a moon shot over the centerfield fence just left of the Monster to drive in Preston Clark and give the Longhorns a 5-4 lead. Clark reached base with a double to leftfield, plating David Hernandez who reached on a leadoff single up the middle.
Rupp launched his second home run in the bottom of the fifth, staking the Horns to an 8-4 lead. Jordan Danks reached on a leadoff double and scored when Jayhawks' reliever Andres Esquibel committed a throwing error on a ground ball by Clark. The Danks run inflated UT's cushion to 6-4 and Rupp tacked on two more with a dinger down the rightfield line.
The Jayhawks drew first blood in the top of the first inning with a pair of runs. With one out, Robby Price singled up the middle and a fielding error on a ground ball by John Allman put runners on the corners. Preston Land plated Price with a double down the leftfield line and a sacrifice fly by Erik Morrison drove in Allman.
The Longhorns responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first. Travis Tucker drew a leadoff walk and was replaced at first on a fielder's choice bunt by Hernandez. Danks reached on a walk and runners moved to second and third on a balk committed by Jayhawks' starter Wally Marciel. Clark hit a sacrifice fly to leftfield to drive in Hernandez and Danks scored on single up the middle by Rupp, knotting the game at 2-2.
Kansas reclaimed the lead with back-to-back solo home runs by Ryne Price and Joe Southers in the bottom of the second inning.
Price added his second home run in the sixth inning to cut UT's lead to 8-5 and the Jayhawks scored their final run in the seventh inning when Allman singled to centerfield to push Nick Faunce across.
Rupp went 3-for-4 with two home runs and five RBI to lead the Longhorns' arsenal. Hernandez, Danks, Clark and Rupp each scored two runs. Danks was successful in a stolen base attempt, making him a perfect 31-of-31 for his career.
Ryne Price paced Kansas going 2-for-4 with two home runs and two RBI. Southers also went 2-for-4.
Brandon Workman (2-0) earned the victory in relief. He entered the game to start the third inning and went four frames allowing two runs on four hits while fanning four. Cole Green followed with two innings of shutout relief, yielding two hits and one walk, while striking out three. Stayton Thomas earned his first career save with 0.2 innings of work, hitting a batter before inducing a game-ending double play.
Marciel (2-2) was saddled with the loss for Kansas giving up six runs on six hits and three walks while striking out one.
POSTGAME QUOTES
HEAD COACH Augie Garrido
On the game: I think the kids fought hard tonight and responded really well. They struck with some power and some presence in the first two innings. By the end of the third we were ahead by one. We put together another inning that Brandon Workman helped us get to. I'm stealing one of Coach Harmon's lines, but the "Kiddie Corps" came through today. (Cameron Rupp, Brandon Workman, Cole Green and Stayton Thomas) pretty important names in there on offense and defense in this game. We were battling for every out.
LF Preston Clark
On playing left field: I think it was great to be back out on the field. It's difficult to stay with the game process when you're DHing or here in the dugout, so being back out there on the field was nice. I actually got kind of nervous again.
RHP Brandon Workman
On the team's first Big 12 victory: We were just throwing to the mitt. They kept calling fast balls outside and it was working tonight. It feels great to get our first Big 12 conference win.
RHP Cole Green
On coming out of the bullpen tonight: It felt good, but I was a little nervous coming in. I just stuck to the basics and did what I've been coached to do.
C Cameron Rupp
On his two home runs tonight: I'm seeing the ball really well and I'm feeling confident at the plate. I'm just glad to be out here playing again.
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