The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Oklahoma State
No. 5 Baseball drops series at Oklahoma State with 10-3 loss
03.27.2011 | Baseball
March 27, 2011
AUSTIN, Texas - The No. 5 Texas Longhorns were unable to hold onto a 3-0 lead and were ultimately doomed by a seven-run seventh inning in a 10-3 loss to the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Sunday afternoon at Allie P. Reynolds Stadium.
Texas drew first blood in the top of the first. Mark Payton doubled down the leftfield line on the second pitch of the game and Brandon Loy followed with a single to third base to put runners on the corners. After Erich Weiss struck out swinging for the first out of the inning, Lucas Kephart chopped into fielder's choice groundout to plate Payton for the 1-0 lead.
The Horns added two runs to the lead in the top of the fifth. Payton singled up the middle and Loy followed by depositing a single to centerfield. Weiss put down a sacrifice bunt to push runners into scoring position. Kephart knocked in Payton with a single to rightfield and Loy scored on a squeeze bunt by Tant Shepherd.
Oklahoma State (18-6, 3-3 Big 12) responded with two runs in the home half of the fifth. Devin Shines started the frame with a single up the middle and Mark Ginther followed with a two-run home run over the leftfield wall to cut the lead to 3-2.
The Cowboys knotted the game in the bottom of the sixth. Davis Duren hit a leadoff single to centerfield. After Kendal Carrillo came in from the bullpen to relieve starter Cole Green, he retired Randy McCurry on strikes, but Devon Shines followed with an infield single and Ginther singled to rightfield to plate Duren with the equalizer.
Oklahoma State took control of the game with a seven-run seventh inning. The Cowboys took advantage of four walks and added six hits, including RBI singles by McCurry and Hunter Bailey and a two-run triple by Gabe Weidenaar.
Both starters got no decision. Green went 5.0 innings for Texas, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out eight. Andrew Heaney yielded three runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out five over 4.1 innings.
McCurry (2-0) earned the victory. He scattered two hits and two walks while striking out one over 4.2 scoreless innings. Kirby Bellow (0-1) was saddled with the loss. He allowed one run on one walk over 0.1 innings.
Loy led the Longhorns offense, going 3-for-5 and one run. Payton went 2-for-5 with one double and two runs. Etier went 2-for-3 with one stolen base. Kephart had a pair of RBI.
Ginther paced the Oklahoma State offense, going 3-for-5 with one home run, one run and three RBI. Dane Phillips, Zach Johnson and Shines each added two hits.
Texas returns to action on Tuesday when the Longhorns host the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles in a 6 p.m. contest at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
TEXAS POST-GAME QUOTES
Head coach Augie Garrido: This game showed the importance of two things. First is momentum. We had the momentum early and got some runs, but when it was on our side, we didn't produce enough runs to create separation. You could slowly feel the momentum shift to their side and we were unable to stop it. The second thing today's game showed is the importance of every inning and not allowing one inning to cost you a ballgame like the seventh inning did. Other than that it was an even ball game.
Junior shortstop Brandon Loy: Obviously we're disappointed in the result today and the series. The important thing is to not let it effect us down the road. We need to come out Tuesday and play baseball like we did the first four or five innings today and build off that. You don't want to lose next weekend's serious because you are still looking back at what happened this weekend.
