The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Alabama A&M
Baseball beats Alabama A&M, 5-1, in doubleheader opener
05.17.2009 | Baseball
May 17, 2009
AUSTIN, Texas -- The No. 6 Texas Longhorns registered a 5-1 win over the Alabama A&M Bulldogs in the first game of a non-conference doubleheader at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Sunday afternoon.
Texas (37-12-1) drew first blood in the home half of the first. Michael Torres doubled to leftfield, stole second base and scored on a fielder's choice grounder by Brandon Belt with runners at the corners to stake Texas to a 1-0 lead.
The Longhorns leashed three more runs in the bottom of the third. Torres again started the rally, this time with a double off the rightfield wall. Travis Tucker reached on a bunt single and stole second base to put two runners in scoring position. Belt plated a pair with a single to the gap in right centerfield. Kevin Keyes capped off the rally with a single down the leftfield line to drive in Belt for the 4-0 lead.
Alabama A&M (14-28) broke the scoring seal with an unearned run in the top of the fifth. Chris Jennings singled up the middle, moved to second on a bunt single by Fabian Harper and scored on a throwing error by UT pitcher Stayton Thomas on a bunt by Marcus Spencer to close the gap to 4-1.
Texas ballooned the lead back to 5-1 with a run in the bottom of the fifth. Kevin Lusson singled up the middle, moved to second on a throwing error on a Keyes grounder, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Brandon Loy and scored on a sacrifice fly by Preston Clark.
Chance Ruffin (8-2) snared the win with 4.0 scoreless innings. The northpaw scattered two hits and one walk while striking out three Bulldogs. Thomas allowed one unearned run on two hits while striking out one over 1.0 innings. Austin Dicharry closed out the game with 2.0 scoreless innings, allowing one hit while striking out two.
Chris Hernandez (4-6) was saddled with the loss, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks over 2.1 innings.
Torres went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two runs to lead the Texas offense. Connor Rowe added two hits.
