The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Texas-Pan American
No. 3 Baseball beats Texas-Pan American, 3-2
03.02.2010 | Baseball
March 2, 2010
AUSTIN, Texas -- Cameron Rupp's solo home run in the bottom of the fifth inning proved to be the game winner as the No. 3 Texas Longhorns defeated Texas-Pan American 3-2 Tuesday night at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
Texas (6-2) jumped out to the early lead, scoring first in the bottom of the second inning after loading the bases with two outs. Connor Rowe reached first on an error before stealing second with two outs. Kevin Lusson and Kyle Lusson drew consecutive walks to load the bases before starting pitcher Kyle Kotchie balked home Rowe to give the Longhorns a 1-0 lead.
UT Pan American (4-1) answered in the top of the fourth, tying the game at one after Garrett Bivone singled home Angel Ibanez who reached on an infield single that bounced off UT pitcher Hoby Milner's glove to begin the inning. An error on a failed pickoff attempt moved Ibanez to second before consecutive singles tied the score at 1-1. With two on and one out, the Longhorns escaped the jam after Kevin Lusson made a diving catch at third for the second out and Milner got Bryant Elliot to pop out and end the inning.
The Longhorns jumped back on top in the bottom of the fourth, scoring again on a bases-loaded balk. Russell Moldenhauer singled to second base to start the inning, and after consecutive strikeouts, back-to-back walks by Kevin and Kyle Lusson loaded the bases. Kotchie's second balk of the game put Texas back on top before striking out Jordan Etier on the next pitch to end the inning.
The Texas lead was short lived as the Broncs responded in the top of the fifth to tie the game at two. After allowing a leadoff walk and a pop out, Milner exited the game and gave way to Stayton Thomas who immediately forced a fielder's choice for the second out. However, a wild pitch advanced Vincent Mejia to second and Ibanez followed with a RBI single to tie the game at 2-2.
But in the bottom half of the inning, Rupp's two-out solo home run, his first of the season, put Texas in front for good.
The Broncs best chance to even the score came in the top of the sixth with runners on first and second and one out, but Rowe kept the Longhorns lead safe after throwing out Mike McCarthy at the plate for the second out following a single up the middle. Andrew McKirahan, who entered the game with one out, got Ryan Vest to ground into a fielder's choice for the third out.
Chance Ruffin entered in top of eighth inning, pitching consecutive 1-2-3 innings and recording two strikeouts to end the game and give the Longhorns their fifth consecutive win.
Bryant Elliott, Ibanez and Bivone led the Broncs with two hits while Stuart Macinnes and McCarthy each added a hit.
Thomas (1-0) picked up the win for Texas (6-2), pitching one inning in relief of starter Milner. Ruffin earned his second save of the season. Milner, in his first collegiate game, pitched 4.1 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits while walking two and recording two strikeouts in a no decision. McKirahan pitched 1.2 innings in relief, allowing no runs on one hit while striking out two.
Kotchie (0-1) went 7.0 innings for the Broncs, allowing three runs (two earned), three hits, four walks while striking out 11. Troy Green pitched 0.2 innings of relief for UTPA, while Guadalupe Barrera came in for the final out in the bottom of the eight.
Texas will return to action Friday against Rice at 7 p.m. in the opening game of the Houston College Classic at Minute Maid Park.
