The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
UT Arlington
Rupp's 10th-inning double leads Baseball to victory
02.24.2009 | Baseball
Feb. 24, 2009
Box Score 
| Box Score | Quotes | Photo Gallery
AUSTIN, Texas -- The Texas Longhorns used 10th-inning heroics by sophomore catcher Cameron Rupp to register a 4-3 win over the UT Arlington Mavericks on Tuesday evening at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
Trailing 3-2 with two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th inning, Rupp stepped to the plate and blasted a first-pitch offering from UTA reliever Jason Mitchell into the gap in right centerfield to drive in freshman shortstop Brandon Loy with the game-tying run and junior first baseman Brandon Belt with the game-winner.
Loy sparked the rally with a single to right centerfield and Belt followed with a walk. Junior Kyle Lusson loaded the bases looping a pinch-hit single in front of a charging Mavericks' centerfielder. With the bases full of Horns, freshman outfielder Tim Maitland popped out foul to third base and sophomore outfielder Kevin Keyes struck out swinging to set up Rupp's end game.
The Longhorns used a strong pitching performance by freshman right-hander Austin Dicharry and solo home runs by Keyes and Belt to take a 2-0 lead.
Dicharry make his first collegiate start worked 6.0 innings, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out five.
Keyes hit UT's first home run of the season just left of the scoreboard in leftfield to stake the Horns to a 1-0 lead and Belt deposited his home run over the 375 foot sign in left field to inflate the cushion to 2-0.
The Longhorns appeared headed to their second consecutive shutout before surrendering a pair of runs in the top of the eighth. Michael Choice, the Southland Conference Player of the Week, hit a two-run double to centerfield off sophomore northpaw Chance Ruffin to knot the game at 2-2.
Texas loaded the bases in the bottom half of the eight by was foiled by a double play. Back-to-back doubles by Belt and senior Preston Clark, who was pinch-hitting, put runners at second and third. After junior outfielder Russell Moldenhauer was retired on strikes, UT Arlington intentionally walked Keyes to saturate the base paths. The brewing rally ended with a sharply hit 5-4-3 double play grounder by Rupp.
The Horns put another running in scoring position in the ninth inning before senior second baseman Travis Tucker lined into a double play.
The Mavericks took their first lead of the game in the top of the 10th inning when Choice broke the 2-2 tie second home run of the season over the wall in rightfield.
Senior lefty Austin Wood (2-0) picked up the win in relief. He allowed one run on two hits while striking out two over 2.2 innings.
Belt and Keyes each had three hits to spearhead the Longhorns' arsenal. Belt went 3-for-3 with one double, one home run, two runs and one RBI. Keyes went 3-for-4 with one home run, one stolen base, one run and one RBI. Rupp went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI.
Choice paced the Mavericks going 2-for-5 with one double, one home run, one run and three RBI.
Mitchell (1-1) was saddled with the loss for the Mavericks. He allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out two over 2.2 innings. Andy Sauter had a strong start for UT Arlington, yielding two runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out eight over 6.0 innings.
Texas returns to action on Friday with the first of a four-game series against the Penn State Nittany Lions at UFCU Disch-Falk Field. First pitch for the opener is slated for 3 p.m.
TEXAS QUOTES
Head Coach Augie Garrido
On Austin Dicharry: He was outstanding. Every starting pitcher has been a pitcher of note. They've been pitchers. They do what pitchers do and that is call the game. It takes a lot of teamwork behind them to maintain that and so that shouldn't go unnoticed starting with the catchers and then the defensive plays were good and consistent. He certainly showed the poise and the confidence in himself and the presence to be effective.
Sophomore Catcher Cameron Rupp
On his game-winning hit: I came up in the eighth inning with the same situation, the bases were loaded with one out and I hit into a double play. I came back into the dugout and was upset at myself, but I let it go and I told myself that I would get another chance at some point. It came in the tenth; I was sitting there and he threw two off-speed pitches in my previous at bat and I knew he was going to come back with it, I stayed with it, let it get deep and went the other way with it. It turned out to be a big hit.
Sophomore Rightfielder Kevin Keyes
On hitting the team's first home run of the season: It feels great. People really think that we're not a power hitting team, more like a gap to gap hitters and we're showing other teams that we have power especially with Brandon [Belt] hitting a home run as well. It lets people know that we're a complete team--we can bunt, we can hit power and take your best hits.
Freshman Pitcher Austin Dicharry
On getting his first career start: It felt great. I had my defense behind me and had my offense pick me up the whole time. There was great coaching as always. It was good to get the first one out of the way. I felt comfortable and relaxed out there, I'm glad to pitch against a pretty good team out there.
