The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Baylor
Kasparek masterful again in 2-0 win over Baylor
05.04.2008 | Baseball
AUSTIN, Texas -- Five days after pitching a no-hitter, Kenn Kasparek hurled eight scoreless innings to lead the Texas Longhorns to a 2-0 win over the Baylor Bears in Big 12 Conference baseball action Sunday afternoon.
Kasparek (4-3) scattered three hits and one walk in his eight shutout innings to earn a win in his third consecutive start. In the three outings, he has allowed just one run on five hits while striking out 25 over 22 innings. Cole Green preserved UT's second shutout in four games allowing just one hit in a scoreless ninth to pick up his third save of the season.
Kasparek, who missed all of 2007 season recovering from an injury, finished his performance riding a streak of 21.2 scoreless innings. The last run he allowed was in the first inning of a non-conference win over Baylor on April 22.
The Longhorns were able to scratch out two runs in another outing where they left 10 or more runners on base. Texas left the bases loaded in both the second and eighth innings, but it did not haunt them like it did in Saturday's loss.
Texas (29-19, 12-12 Big 12) broke the scoring seal in the bottom of the second. Kyle Russell drew a walk and an error on a bunt attempt by Russell Moldenhauer put runners on first and second. Brandon Belt followed with a single through the right side to plate Russell. After Preston Clark struck out, Cameron Rupp reached on a walk to loaded the bases, but the next two Horns were retired to hold the UT lead to 1-0.
The Longhorns manufactured a run in the third. Travis Tucker was hit by a pitch, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jordan Danks and scored on a double down the rightfield line by Moldenhauer to inflate the cushion to 2-0.
Craig Fritsch (3-3) was the tough-luck loser for Baylor who dropped to 28-22 overall and 10-14 in Big 12 action. He allowed two runs, one earned on three hits and two walks while striking out four over five innings.
Brandon Belt was the lone player to log two or more hits in the game, going 2-for-4 with one RBI.
POSTGAME QUOTES
HEAD COACH Augie Garrido
On Kenn Kasparek's performance in today's game: When a person throws a game as well as he did the first time, they don't do it again. They fall victim to the expectations of the no-hitter. They're still bathing in the glory of the beauty of it all and most often it goes the other way on them. I was especially proud of Kenn staying in rhythm when the team desperately needed him. This was a must win for us and to do it with him providing the eight innings and then Cole [Green] doing an excellent job in short relief is great to be apart of. I think the other player that sparkled in this whole thing was Travis Tucker and his defensive plays. He took several hits away from them at critical times and stopped rallies. The other teammates all do their share as well. Cameron Rupp is catching a better game, he's struggling with the bat, but he caught well. When your pitching staff is going well you have a tendency to overlook the catcher, but you can't because he plays a major part in all of that.
On knowing that you can get a lot of innings out of your pitchers: Every inning matters and thankfully we're not going to be playing five games a week anymore. That part of the season is over, thank goodness. I would say with Austin Wood, Kenn Kasparek and Chance Ruffin on their game that we have three legitimate starting pitchers and that's what you need, three or four, to get through this thing and Cole Green was brilliant too.
THIRD BASEMAN Preston Clark
On the team's performance over the last few games: I think we're getting stronger each day. Kenn [Kasparek] threw well on Tuesday and got the no-hitter and I didn't expect him to come back this fast, but he came out and showed that he is ready to start pitching again. His command is awesome and when the pitcher is confident it sends a message to the defense and makes us confident. The only thing we had to do was battle and get runs for him and we felt like we got enough runs for him and that he would be able to hold his own out there. He did a great job.
On the break and going into finals: The break is going to be good for us. We've been playing for a while,. We've been playing hard. This new schedule has put some pressure on us and for us to be able to get a week off or a couple of days at least will be good for our bodies. It will give the pitchers a chance to rest their arms and it will be a good time to collect our thoughts and come ready to play for the weekend.
SECOND BASEMAN Travis Tucker
On the team's defensive performance: You always have to play hard and when a guy like Kenn [Kasparek] is down there throwing really well, it's hot and it's the eighth inning you just have to play hard for them. He's pitched a great game and you don't want to be the one to let him down.
On the break and going into finals: It's bittersweet. We could get some practice in, but we can't because of finals. Once finals are done I think we'll settle down into a nice little groove and focus on baseball.
PITCHER Kenn Kasparek
On what the key was to stay in a rhythm on the mound: Getting into a really good rhythm is really the key. That is one of the things we did last Tuesday was get into a really good rhythm. I would get the ball back from Cameron [Rupp], he got it back to me as quick as possible and we went right to work. Throwing first pitch strikes is really important as well and also mixing up my pitches.
On if he thought he would be able to pitch so well again after his no-hitter: I was kind of surprised I went eight. I was expecting to go maybe five or six innings, but I just got in the rhythm and everything fell into place.
