The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
New Orleans
Cooper's strong start helps Baseball to 3-2 win over New Orleans
04.22.2017 | Baseball
Redshirt-junior Morgan Cooper went six innings to earn his fifth win of the season.
AUSTIN, Texas—A strong performance from right-hander Morgan Cooper and a three-run first inning propelled Texas Baseball to a 3-2 win over visiting New Orleans in Saturday's non-conference matchup at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
Texas (27-15) put up a three-spot in the first inning. Kody Clemens, making his first start in the infield this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in August, drew a one-out walk to get this going. Travis Jones then singled and a Kacy Clemens walked to load the bases for freshman Ryan Reynolds, who came through with a double down the left field line to put the Longhorns on top 2-0. Fellow freshman Austin Todd followed with a sac fly to give Texas a 3-0 advantage.
Cooper was stellar throughout the afternoon as he allowed just one run (on an infield single) on five hits and one walk to stifle the Privateers (19-20) offense. The redshirt junior fanned seven batters over six innings of work to move to 5-2 on the season while lowering his ERA to 1.61 for the year. To open the ballgame, Cooper retired 10 straight before allowing a one-out single in the fourth.
Blair Henley entered in relief of Cooper and went 1.1 innings. He exited with one out in the eighth and runners on the corners. Sophomore Beau Ridgeway then entered in relief and, after allowing a sac fly to make it 3-2, shut the door to earn his ninth save of the year.
At the plate, Reynolds and Jones were the lone Longhorns to finish with a multi-hit games, though Kacy Clemens reached three times (twice by HBP and once via the walk).
Texas and New Orleans return to action on Sunday afternoon for the series finale. Right-hander Kyle Johnston is expected to start for the Longhorns.
