The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Texas State
Kasparek throws no-hitter in Baseball's 11-0 win over Texas State
04.29.2008 | Baseball
AUSTIN, Texas -- Kenn Kasparek tossed the 20th no-hitter in Texas Longhorns' history in an 11-0 win over the Texas State Bobcats in collegiate baseball action Tuesday evening at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
Kasparek (3-3) allowed just one runner to reach base when he hit Thomas Field to start the seventh inning. The junior right-hander, who became the 16th different player to twirl a no-no for the Longhorns, induced a double play grounder off the bat of the next hitter, Laurn Randell, as he faced the minimum 27 batters in the win. The northpaw logged nine strikeouts, including catching the game's last two batters looking. In addition to fanning nine, the Weimar, Texas native recorded outs on 12 ground balls and five fly balls in the gem.
A composed Kasparek booked the complete-game shutout despite throwing balls on first pitches to 18 of the 27 batters he faced en route to throwing the first no-hitter for Texas since April 16, 2005 when Adrian Alaniz silenced the Oklahoma bats in a 4-0 win.
The Longhorns pounced on the Bobcats with two runs in the home half of the second. A leadoff single by Kyle Russell and an error on a sacrifice bunt attempt by Russell Moldenhauer put runners on the corners. Brandon Belt grounded out back to the pitcher to push Moldenhauer to second and Preston Clark grounded out to second base, plating Russell. Moldenhauer scored from third on a passed ball staking Texas to a 2-0 lead.
Texas (27-18) added two more runs in the third inning to take a 4-0 lead. With one out, Michael Torres singled to rightfield, stole second base, moved to third on a groundout by Travis Tucker and scored on a single up the middle by Jordan Danks. Danks stole second, moved to third on a passed ball and scored on a double down the rightfield line by Russell.
The Horns' advantage ballooned to 7-0 with the Horns scoring one run in each of the next three innings. In the fourth, Torres singled down the leftfield line driving in Clark who hit a one-out single and moved to second when Cameron Rupp was hit by a pitch. In the fifth inning, Russell hit his 13th home run of the season, a solo shot into the Longhorns' bullpen in rightfield. Torres drove in another run in the sixth inning with a double driving in Rupp who reached on an infield single.
Texas capped the scoring with a four-run seventh inning. The inning featured a two-run single by David Hernandez and RBI singles by Belt and Torres.
Russell and Torres spearheaded the offensive arsenal with four hits apiece. Russell went 4-for-5 with three runs, one double, one home run and two RBI. His dinger in the fifth inning tied him for sixth place on the Big 12 career home run list with 51. Torres went 4-for-5 with one run, one double, one stolen base and three RBI. He reached base safely for the 38th consecutive game.
Kane Holbrooks (2-5) was saddled with the loss for Texas State (24-19), allowing five runs, three earned, on six hits while striking out two over four innings.
Texas returns to Big 12 Conference action on Friday when the Longhorns travel to Waco, Texas for a 6:30 p.m. contest against the Baylor Bears.
POSTGAME QUOTES
HEAD COACH Augie Garrido
On the game tonight: We got a little pitching. We got a little defense. And we got some offense. We put it all together for the best game of the year.
On Kenn Kasparek: It was great. He took charge of the game from the very beginning. Our pitching coach, Skip Johnson, did a masterful job of keeping him under control by using his breaking ball. They had been working hard in the bullpen and that became his touch-and-feel pitch. He has a tendency to overthrow his fastball and Skip was masterful in getting him to throw the breaking ball. That is what kept him settled down and he was able to locate the fastball working off the breaking ball. Even the last pitch of the game at three-and two-was a breaking ball. He kept that the entire night and was able to stay ahead of the hitters. We're at a time of the year where we need to have everyone step forward that can. We need as many good things to happen to us as possible. This is one of those good things and when he came into the clubhouse every player was up on their chairs clapping and applauding. It was a great effort.
This is also something that can launch his professional career as well because he's draftable. Now all of a sudden you have to take into account some of those fastballs were plus-90 miles per hour fastballs and there are always plenty of scouts in the stands to see that. If they see it happen once, they can imagine it happening again. I think this is a big night for Kenn Kasparek and I think this is a big night for the Texas Longhorns.
On throwing a no-hitter: Adrian Alaniz is the last pitcher to throw a no-hitter here and it's a special thing to do. When Alaniz threw his no-hitter it was a very special moment. It meant a lot to the team and it jumpstarted the team and got them going. Let us hope this serves the team in the same way. I know it did for the moment that we were all in there together and celebrating Kenn's accomplishment. This is a school of pitching and has a history of great pitching. When you put your name next to the others and ahead of many that have pitched in the major leagues by throwing a no-hitter, one hitter away from a perfect game, I think it's an historical event.
PITCHER Kenn Kasparek
On his no-hitter: To put no hits up on the board is very special to me. It was amazing and my teammates are a great group of guys. I wouldn't trade them for the world, so I know tonight will be very special. It will be something that I can share with everyone.
On if the team had been feeling frustrated: I wouldn't say we were frustrated, but just happy that we're finally on a roll. We picked it up against Kansas State a little bit and came in here tonight and played an awesome game all around. It is just something that might get this team going.
DESIGNATED HITTER Michael Torres
On his offensive performance and reaching base in 38 straight games: Today I got a lot of balls out over the plate and earlier today I was working on hitting the ball the other way. This weekend I was pulling the ball a lot and that is when I start getting myself into trouble. I went back today before the game and I hit with Travis (Tucker) in the cages and really worked on getting back into using the other side of the field. It worked out today and I think that two of my four hits were to leftfield. It helps me stay on the ball better and gives me more opportunities at the plate.
THIRD BASEMAN Preston Clark
On playing so many positions: I feel great out there. I feel like I have been playing there for awhile. I get out there during practice and its one of those things that the coaches have me over there in case an occasion arises where I'm needed at third base. I feel good over there right now and it's helping the team. I want to do whatever I can to help this team and I'll do whatever I can until I can get back behind the plate.
