The Texas
Longhorns were unable to fend off the Sacramento State big inning, as they did
in the first game of the series, and they fell to the Hornets 5-3 Saturday in Austin. UT miscues in the infield and timely hitting by Sacramento State
gave Hornet pitcher Brennan Leitao the necessary support in limiting the
Longhorn bats to only two runs in the win.
Entering the
third inning tied at one, Sacramento State began their rally with a single by
right fielder Nathan Lukes. Another single by second baseman Andrew Ayers
brought up first baseman Rhys Hoskins, who hit an RBI double off of junior
pitcher Nathan Thornhill, giving the Hornets their first lead of the series.
Another two runs would be enough for Leitao to get the win.
“When we got
behind 4-1, it shocked us and stunned us a little bit,” head coach Augie
Garrido said. “We started getting a little more conservative and got away from
our aggressive plan at the plate. We didn’t do anything to him to take him out
of his game. Today, their pitcher had a little better command than our
pitcher.”
After three
and two thirds innings, Garrido replaced Thornhill with sophomore reliever
Cameron Cox.
“It's
definitely not what I wanted, but I know I have better stuff than what I showed
today,” Thornhill said. “I just need to keep pitching. I'm going to maintain my
confidence in that and keep preparing for the next outing.”
Cox pitched
another three and one third innings, allowing only one run before being
replaced by freshman Travis Duke.
“I like how
Cox and Duke performed,” Garrido said. “They came in and pitched their game.
That's huge for us.”
Duke allowed
only one hit in one and two thirds innings, throwing 18 of his 20 pitches for
strikes.
The
Longhorns scored two more runs, one coming on a Matt Moynihan single that
scored sophomore infielder Codey McElroy, the other thanks to a Madison Carter
single that plated Erich Weiss. The Horns were retired by Hornet right hander
Sutter McLoughlin, who saved Leitao’s victory. Thornhill took the loss.
Freshman
shortstop C.J Hinojosa recorded his second and third errors of the season in
Saturday’s game, the first resulting in the first Hornet run.
“I just came
up too early and tried to get rid of it.” Hinojosa said. “I know I can make
those plays, I think I just try to get ahead of myself.”
Garrido was
not concerned about Hinojosa’s or the team’s performance so far.
“Give
(Hinojosa) some time before you jump on him,” Garrido said. “When you practice
for 18 days and play one game, it isn't exactly a mature, experienced team at
this point. It's not an excuse, it's just a reality”
The
Longhorns face the Hornets in the rubber game of the series Sunday at 1 p.m.
Garrido named sophomore lefty Dillon Peters as the starter. Peters will face
right hander Zach Morgan.
