The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Baylor
No. 2 Baseball wins series opener versus Baylor, 4-2, in 10 innings.
04.30.2010 | Baseball
April 30, 2010
Box Score | Standings | Quotes
WACO, Texas -- The No. 2 Texas Longhorns overcame a mid-game deficit and won in extra inning fashion as they came to life to break a 2-2 stalemate in the 10th to post a 4-2 win over the Baylor Bears Friday night at Baylor Ballpark in Waco, Texas.
With the win, the Longhorns stretch their overall winning streak to 18, and extend their conference winning streak to 15 while improving to an overall record of 36-7 and 17-2 in the Big 12. Coupled with a loss by Kansas State, the Horns lead in the conference ballooned to six games.
Cohl Walla led off the top of the winning inning with a single to left field, followed by Brandon Loy reaching on a walk to place runners at first and second. A single by Tant Shepherd loaded the bases, and with one out pinch-hitter Paul Montalbano outlasted Bears pitcher Kolt Browder for the walk, bringing in Walla for the go-ahead run. Kevin Keyes added insurance with a sac fly to center field, driving in Loy for the 4-2 score.
Reliever Chance Ruffin held off the Bears in the bottom of the 10th to secure the win for the Horns, posting three strikeouts while allowing one hit, a walk and no runs.
The Longhorns struck first in the top of the second. Cameron Rupp singled to centerfield, advanced to second with a sac bunt by Russell Moldenhauer, and to third as Keyes grounded out. A single to third by Kevin Lusson sent Rupp home for the opening score.
The Bears claimed their first lead in the bottom of the sixth. Joey Hainsfurther reached on a single up the middle, followed by a single by Cal Towey to place runners at first and second. A single by Gregg Glime brought Hainsfurther home, and Towey reached home plate on a fielding error, making the score 2-1.
Texas scored the equalizer in the top of the eighth to set the stage for extra innings. Brandon Loy reached on a walk, advanced to second on a sac bunt by Shepherd, reached third with a grounder by Rupp and scored on a single up the middle by Moldenhauer.
Shepherd led the Horns offensively, tallying three hits in four at-bats, followed by Lusson, who went 2-for-5 with one RBI.
Texas' Ruffin notched the win to improve to 5-1 on the season, while Baylor's Bowder received the loss to drop to 4-2.
The Longhorns and Bears return to action Saturday night at UFCU Disch-Faulk in Austin, Texas. First pitch is slated for 8 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally on ESPNU.
BIG 12 STANDINGS (thru 4/30)
Big 12 Overall
Texas 17-2-0 .895 36-7
Kansas State 9-6-0 .600 29-11
Oklahoma 9-8-0 .529 31-11
Texas Tech 10-9-0 .526 24-22
Kansas 7-8-1 .469 26-17-1
Missouri 7-8-0 .467 23-17
Texas A&M 8-10-1 .447 24-16-1
Baylor 7-10-0 .412 25-18
Nebraska 6-13-0 .316 19-23
Oklahoma State 5-11-0 .313 24-18
Head Coach Augie Garrido
On Baylor's Starting Pitcher Logan Verrett: Hat's off to their starting pitcher. He found the low outside corner and pounded that pitch in there over and over again. College hitters don't hit that pitch; professional hitters don't hit that pitch very well. He did a fabulous job of commanding those pitches into that zone over and over again. He really kept them in position.
On using Chance Ruffin in close situations: I have the most confidence in him than anyone that we have on the team. It's his role on the team, and he knows it, and it's a role that he can perform professionally on a very high level as well. I would put him in a class with Huston Street, J. Brent Cox, and Chance Ruffin. I don't think you miss a beat with any one of those three.
LF Cohl Walla
On how bad they needed the leadoff single in the 10th inning: We definitely needed that. Their pitcher was throwing a lot of fastballs and we couldn't seem to connect with it. So I was just looking for a fastball and ended up with a hit.
On his approach to the 10th inning at-bat: I was basically hitting fastball that whole at-bat. I knew I was going to get a fastball and the pitcher threw me all fastballs
RF Kevin Keyes
On the benefit of playing a close game: It is really good. It tells you what kind of team you are. We are a complete team and it just shows how tough this team is. We pull for each other, we fight for each other, and we pick each other up; we saw that today with timely hitting and [Chance] Ruffin coming in to close the door.
On their approach in the 10th inning: They threw a lot of fastballs late in the game so we tried to get the ball up in the air and it really paid out for us. We really battled late in the game and it showed.
P Chance Ruffin
On his mindset heading into the game: Don't give up a run. That's the same mindset that I have every time I step on the mound. I try to be perfect and adjust from there.
