The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Texas State
Mathis, Reynolds power Baseball in 9-2 win over Texas State
04.11.2017 | Baseball
Patrick Mathis hit a two run homer while Reynolds added a double and a single in the ballgame.
AUSTIN, Texas—Texas Baseball rode a four-run first inning to an eventual 9-2 win over Texas State (20-14) on Tuesday night at UFCU Disch-Falk Field. The Longhorns (23-13) received a boost on offense thanks to two-RBI nights from freshman third baseman Ryan Reynolds and, making his first start since March 12 after missing time with injury, junior outfielder Patrick Mathis.
The Longhorns broke open the ballgame early, plating four in the opening frame off Texas State's Cam Baird. Tate Shaw drew a one-out walk and Travis Jones followed with a hard-hit single to center. Freshman Ryan Reynolds, inserted into the cleanup spot with Kacy Clemens missing the ballgame due to his Sunday ejection, crushed a double off the top of the wall in right field to score Shaw and give the Longhorns a 1-0 lead.
Catcher Michael McCann then drew a walk to load the bases for Bret Boswell who ripped a one-out single to center field to give Texas a 2-0 advantage. First baseman Jake McKenzie then hit a fielder's choice to drive in a run, making it 3-0. Mathis, making his first start since March 12 vs. UCLA, followed with a walk to load the bases for David Hamilton. The freshman practiced patience and drew a bases-loaded walk to push the lead to 4-0.
Texas added one more in the third when Kody Clemens drew yet another bases loaded walk and the Longhorns took a 5-0 lead into the fourth.
On the mound for the Longhorns, after loading the bases with no outs in the first frame, starter Nick Kennedy escaped the jam with no rules allowed. He put up three scoreless frames before the Bobcats responded with a two-run fourth inning, chasing Kennedy and pulling the ballgame to 5-2. Chase Shugart entered with two outs in the inning and induced a ground ball that Hamilton made an impressive play on to end the inning and limit the damage.
Connor Mayes then entered in relief for the Longhorns and pitched two scoreless frames to allow Texas to extend its lead.
In the fifth, it was Mathis' turn to provide the offense. The junior right fielder launched the full count offering over the left field wall for a two-run shot, his third homer of the season, to give Texas a 7-2 lead.
Reynolds added another RBI single in the eighth inning and Jones scored on a balk in the same frame to push the Texas lead to 9-2.
In relief, Tyler Schimpf tossed perfect seventh and eighth innings while striking out three before freshman Blair Henley added a one-two-three ninth to finish out the ballgame.
Texas now heads to Waco for a three-game Big 12 Conference series against the Baylor Bears beginning Thursday night.
