The Longhorns dropped their Big 12 opener 0-1 to Texas Tech on Friday night off a solo home run from Red Raider Jarrard Poteete. Junior Ty Marlow was credited the loss after he gave up the solo shot to right field when he came in as relief for starter Parker French in the top of the seventh.
Texas (11-6, 0-1) outhit the Red Raiders 7-3 and had several chances to push a run across but were unable to capitalize on several on base opportunities. This was the first time that Texas was shutout since a loss to Loyola Marymount last March.
“There were a lot of opportunities for us tonight, but as I have always said baseball is a difficult, cruel game yet people think I am kidding,” said Texas head coach Augie Garrido. “Tonight was proof.”
Down 0-1 in the bottom of the ninth, junior Mark Payton led off the inning with a single that slid up the middle past second base. On the next pitch, freshman C.J Hinojosa laid down a bunt but out-maneuvered the pitcher to put two Longhorns on base with no outs.
Alex Silver came in and laid down a sacrifice bunt down the third baseline to get the go-ahead run on second with one out. Catcher Jacob Felts then struck out swinging before Matt Moynihan, pinch hitting for Madison Carter, came to the plate. On a 3-1 count, Moynihan grounded out to second base, ending the Longhorns chance of a come-back.
“When you do your best which I think our team did, it breaks your heart when you lose like that,” Garrido said. “but now we will see if we have the grit to continue to believe in ourselves and stay with the plan or are going to try harder to win the game.”
The Longhorns will get the chance to even the series Saturday afternoon at 2pm when the Red Raiders meet the Longhorns for game two.