No. 2 Baseball wins rubber game over Kentucky, 5-4

Sunday, April 13

Lexington, Ky.

11 a.m. CT / 12 p.m. ET

University of Texas

29-5, 13-2

Kentucky

19-14, 6-9

Texas

Kentucky

No. 2 Baseball wins rubber game over Kentucky, 5-4

04.13.2025 | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Highlights

Longhorns claim 11th consecutive series victory.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The second-ranked University of Texas baseball team held off a late Kentucky rally to notch a 5-4 series-securing win on Sunday at Kentucky Proud Park.

In his first conference appearance as a Longhorn and just fifth outing of the year, junior right-hander Grayson Saunier recorded the final seven outs, capped off by a game-ending double play.

Saunier's first career save sealed Texas' 11^th consecutive series victory, which marks its longest run in league play since a stretch that spanned from April 2011 to April 2012.

With both teams' pitching staffs depleted following the 15-inning marathon less than 24 hours earlier, Saunier and Texas starter Ruger Riojas (7-1) shouldered the load for the Longhorns (28-5, 13-2 SEC).

Riojas tossed the first 6 2/3 innings, limiting the Wildcats (19-14, 6-9 SEC) to three runs. The righty became the first hurler to pitch into the sixth against Kentucky in a conference contest this season.

The junior totaled a career-high 114 pitches to earn his SEC-leading seventh victory.

Riojas' lengthy performance came one day after six Longhorns combined to throw 221 pitches across the five-hour and 12-minute affair Saturday.

Texas provided run support for Riojas in the early going, as the Longhorns put up a three-spot in the third.

Following an intentional walk to catcher Rylan Galvan, shortstop Jalin Flores capitalized with a two-out RBI single to break the stalemate.

Three pitches later, Will Gasparino plated a pair with his first of two doubles on the afternoon.

The Wildcats clawed back to trim the deficit to as tight as a run in the seventh, but Texas first baseman Kimble Schuessler drove in an insurance tally with an extra-base hit of his own the very next frame.

Up next, Texas returns home to open a four-game homestand, beginning against UTRGV on Tuesday. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m. at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.