Texas and Oklahoma State had themselves a cat-and-mouse chase Friday night, showing no signs of backing down from one another across six identical-scoring innings. The Longhorns finally broke the tension in the seventh inning, securing a 7-5 victory over the Cowboys and their first series-opening win since March 8.
Senior third baseman Peyton Powell took a chance on junior designated hitter Kimble Schuessler’s fly-out ball and ran home to secure Texas’ lead in the seventh inning.
“Answering every time something happens keeps the momentum high,” Powell said. “It keeps the pace good, which all the position players like on both sides. It just keeps you in the game.”
OSU was able to get the first run of the night in the second inning from a double hit by junior first baseman Colin Brueggemann. Texas answered almost immediately when sophomore catcher Rylan Galvan singled to left field to bring in sophomore outfielder Max Belyeu, setting the stage at 1-1.
Leading off the third inning was OSU’s sophomore left fielder Nolan Schubart with a homer right over the batter’s eye for two RBIs. Schubart recently set a new high for home runs in a single game for the Cowboys against Wichita State with four homers, boasting a .348 batting average on the season as well. Junior third baseman Aidan Meola followed in his wake with a solo home run to put OSU ahead 4-1.
However, the Longhorns wouldn’t allow the Cowboys to get too comfortable and hammered three singles in exchange for an RBI. Schuessler fired a double to left center field to send two more runners home, reciprocating OSU’s three-run third inning to tie the score for the second time.
Neither team gave up their starting pitcher for five innings, reaching the sixth inning without another run made by either opponent. OSU called in junior Tommy Molsky for the sixth inning and Texas brought in junior Chase Lummus for the seventh inning in hopes of shaking things up. After allowing one hit and one walk, Lummus was relieved by redshirt sophomore Gage Boehm during the seventh inning.
OSU batters set up at the third and first bases left from Lummus and a double from sophomore right fielder Carson Benge gave the Cowboys a 5-4 advantage as the Longhorns took to the plate.
And they answered yet again. With bases loaded, senior outfielder Porter Brown was hit by a pitch, followed by a fly-out ball by Schuessler for a combined two RBI.
Freshman right fielder Will Gasparino knocked a home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to grasp a 7-5 lead over OSU.
Gasparino’s father, Billy, played for the Cowboys back in 1997-1999 and was said to be in attendance alongside Will’s family to watch the tale of two alma-maters.
Boehm shut down any last-minute opportunity for a comeback at the top of the ninth, allowing one walk and no runs while striking out four, including OSU’s star hitter, Schubart, across 2.2 innings.
“(Coach Pierce) knows that I’m going to give it my all every single time I go out there, and that means a lot to me,” Boehm said.
Texas looks to continue its success into the second game of the series on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. if weather permits.
