The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
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Texas Tech
Baseball wins again in the ninth, 2-1, against Texas Tech
03.16.2013 | Baseball
March 16, 2013
AUSTIN, Texas - Junior catcher Jacob Felts hit a walk-off double in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Texas Longhorns defeated the Texas Tech Red Raiders, 2-1, Saturday afternoon at UFCU Disch-Falk Field. The win ties the weekend series with the Red Raiders after Texas dropped the opener, 1-0, Friday night. Texas (12-6, 1-1) has now won six of the last seven games.
In the final frame for the Longhorns, junior Madison Carter drew a one-out walk. Felts then belted a fly ball to deep center as Texas Tech center fielder Brett Bell was unable to make the grab on the run as the ball glanced off his glove to plate Carter. It was the third time this season at UFCU Disch-Falk Field that the Longhorns have earned a walk-off victory in the ninth.
Texas sophomore pitcher Dillon Peters struck out a career-high seven batters, allowing one run and five hits over 8 1/3 innings, earning a no-decision in the longest stint of his career.
Texas Tech (13-8, 1-1) pitcher Trey Masek struck out six Longhorn batters and allowed six hits and one run over eight innings. Freshman Johnathon Tripp (0-1) relieved Masek and earned the loss.
Junior closer Corey Knebel (2-1) earned the win after entering the game in the ninth with the bases loaded and one out and striking out Tim Proudfoot and Mason Randolph. Bryant Burleson hit a one-out double off Peters and intentionally walked Eric Gutierrez before Jarrard Poteete loaded the bases with a single.
UT center fielder Weston Hall hit Masek's first pitch in the bottom of the first into left field for a single. After stealing second, he scored on Erich Weiss' single up the middle and snapped Masek's consecutive scoreless innings streak to open the 2013 campaign at 32 1/3 innings. Weiss finished with a 3-for-4 game for the Longhorns.
Texas Tech catcher Mason Rudolph scored in the top of the third to tie it up 1-1. The Red Raiders had runners at first and second with no outs after Rudolph drew a leadoff walk and Jake Barrios was hit by a pitch. After a groundout by Zach Davis pushed the runners to second and third, Devon Conley grounded out to score Randolph from third.
In the top of the seventh, Gutierrez reached on an infield single and stole second with two outs. Proudfoot singled to center field, but Gutierrez was thrown out at the plate on a strong relay throw by freshman shortstop C.J Hinojosa.
The series concludes tomorrow at 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on Longhorn Network with radio on AM 1300 The Zone. Gametracker live stats will be available on TexasSports.com with live Twitter updates @Texas_Baseball.
Notes: Texas Tech starter Trey Masek had his streak of consecutive scoreless innings to start the 2013 season halted at 32 1/3 innings...Texas is now 6-2 in one-run games this season...the Longhorns have stolen 29 bases this season while only allowing four...C.J Hinojosa had his season-high hitting streak snapped at eight games today...the Longhorns' pitching staff has a 2.13 ERA in 15 games at UFCU Disch-Falk Field while opponents have hit only .212 against them...Dillon Peters has a 1.97 ERA this season with opponents hitting .222 against him...Peters' previous best for strikeouts was six, set last season against Texas A&M.
TTU 001-000-000---1-5-1 TEXAS 100-000-001---2-7-0
Note: 1 out, 1 runner LOB when the game ended.
Records: Texas (12-6, 1-1), Texas Tech (13-8, 1-1) WP - Knebel (2-1) LP - Tripp (0-1) T - 2:26 ATT - 6,842
Masek, Tripp (9) and Randolph. D. Peters, Knebel (9) and Montalbano, Felts (8).
Post-Game Quotes
Texas head coach Augie Garrido
On the game: It was an exciting win after last night's difficult defeat, especially to be on the other side. It makes everyone feel a whole lot better and more confident especially Jacob (Felts) whom took the loss as his responsibility, which we all know, is not true. He did have a moment where he could have won the game with a hit, he did not get that hit and that really wore on him into today that is why he did not start today. I am really happy with the turnaround for the team. (Madison) Carter, for example, early in the season if we would have swung at the first pitch in the 9th inning, he would have swung two more like that, but he stepped out and refocused to calm himself down...that is progress. He saw the ball well, took his walk and set that up, he is a good runner too...that was a great moment. Of course, (Jacob) squaring up the ball to hit one that they did not catch, though they almost did. Corey (Knebel) had an All-American moment, it was spectacular to have him walk in with the bases loaded to strike out two hitters. We are thrilled to get this win with the team we have now.
On the growth of Texas thus far: I have talked a lot about the spirit of this team and the chemistry of this team, but you have seen it in the last 18 innings. Are we at full throttle? No. Are we all connected from 1-9? No, but you notice how much slower the ball in going into the infield these days, that is the batter. If you look at the fielding percentage of all the teams, it is up there pretty good now; the way they have decreased the bat speed has really enabled the game to get back to quality defense, good pitching, and low-scoring games.
On Dillon Peters: His whole presence today, he pitched with a purpose and with conviction. He never backed off. He had the one inning with a few walks and had a bit of a competitive lapse, but he absolutely turned things right back around to go almost nine innings for the first time this year.
On Peters wearing the game on his arm: Our dugout has been a very spirited one and lively one, and Dilllon and Parker are the two guys that lead that when they are there. They are the leaders of the posse in the dugout. They create an environment when they are not on the field that is energizing, it is like they are sitting, but they really care about what the team is doing while they sit. They are really connected in a spiritual way that creates a wonderful teamwork connection. Teamwork is much harder to get connected over because it is a different process to which you have to give so much of yourself away. You have to do what it takes to help the team, that is a process that some of these guys have not been through. They have been stars where they are from. It is the first time that they have sit on the bench.
Sophomore pitcher Dillon Peters
On the overall game: It was awesome. Both teams were into it, there was good defense on both sides. We stuck to our gameplan, we hit the balls hard and got a lucky one at the end. We all did what we were working for all week.
On going the distance: I prepare myself week in and week out to go the distance, but it is about whether or not they need me. Today, they let me roll. I felt good.
Junior pitcher Corey Knebel
On the overall game: It was exciting. I love the emotion we have, but I really wish we would score runs earlier (laughing). But this was a great game today, we have not had one of these in a long time, it feels good to finish the right way.
On coming into the game with bases loaded and one out: Coming in, I was scared...I was not really ready. I was nervous, the bases were loaded and there was one out, but I had to get a ground ball. I had to throw to the mitt. The nerves stayed with me on the plate. I was shaking on the mound, but I turn the nerves to adrenaline and throw strikes.
Junior catcher Jacob Felts
On his efforts today: It feels great, especially after last night. It was a tough game last night, I kind of took it out on myself. You can go 0-4 then the next day you can be the hero, it was tough, but it is great to be able to battle back.
On the ninth inning: I was ready to go. I was ready to go in and redeem myself.
