Long ball leads Baseball to 12-5 series-clinching win over K-State

Saturday, April 9

Manhattan, Kan.

2 p.m.

University of Texas

14-17, 0

K-State

13-19, 0

Texas

Kansas State

Long ball leads Baseball to 12-5 series-clinching win over K-State

04.09.2016 | Baseball

Box Score

Solo homers from Patrick Mathis, Kody Clemens and Travis Jones ignited the Texas offense.

Box Score

MANHATTAN, Kansas—Three homers and 13 hits powered the Longhorns to a 12-5 series-clinching victory over Kansas State on Saturday afternoon at Tointon Family Stadium.

In the second inning, Patrick Mathis opened the scoring with his team-leading fifth home run to put the Longhorns (14-17, 5-3 Big 12) out front 1-0, a lead they would not relinquish all afternoon.

An inning later, Kody Clemens and Travis Jones connected on back-to-back jacks to give the Longhorns a 3-0 advantage. Clemens' sky-high blast was his second of the series and Jones' laser over the left field wall was his second of the season.

The offensive onslaught continued in the fourth when, after Zane Gurwitz cranked a two-out double, Bret Boswell singled to make it 4-0.

Gurwitz then drove in a run of his own in the sixth when he plated Kacy Clemens from third after he reached on a single to open the frame.

After senior starter Ty Culbreth allowed a three-spot in the bottom of the sixth, the Longhorns broke it open.

Tyler Rand began the inning with a single and came around to score on a base knock from Jones. Tres Barrera followed with a single and Kaleb Denny was hit by a pitch to load them up for Mathis. This time, the sophomore did the damage thanks to his patience, drawing a full-count walk to force in the Longhorns seventh run.

With the bags still loaded, Gurwitz—who tallied a career-high four RBI in the game—ripped a two-out triple to right-center to clear the bases and put the Longhorns out to a commanding 10-3 lead.

The Wildcats got one more in the seventh off Culbreth, who was celebrating his birthday. The lefty earned his Big 12-best sixth win of the season in the game. Culbreth (6-2) finished with seven innings, allowing four runs on nine hits while walking none and striking out six. It's the first time since his first outing of the season that he did not collect a quality start.

The Longhorns added their final two runs in the eighth inning when a Wildcat throwing error allowed Kody Clemens, who doubled, and Jones, who walked, to score.

K-State loaded them up in the eighth but Connor Mayes worked out of the jam. Freshman Blake Wellmann entered in the ninth and allowed a run but picked up the final three outs to seal the Longhorns win.

Texas and Kansas State finish out the three-game set tomorrow afternoon in Manhattan. Righthander Kyle Johnston (1-1, 3.12 ERA) will take the mound for the Longhorns.