Tied 3-3 at the bottom of the eighth inning with senior third baseman Peyton Powell sitting at first, Texas was inching its way closer to confirming its fourth consecutive Big 12 series win.
And who better to step up to the plate than sophomore right fielder Max Belyeu? The now-conference leader in home runs did what he does best and slammed a homer to right field to bring Powell home, securing Texas’ second win 6-3 and the series against Oklahoma State on Saturday.
“I was just waiting for Powell to get on, either a walk or a hit, … and I told myself, ‘You’re going to have a big swing right here,’” Belyeu said.
Texas also celebrated the unofficial Star Wars holiday of “May the 4th Be With You” at UFCU Disch-Falk Field, complete with the iconic franchise music, lightsaber graphics and “Sith” versus “Jedi” labels on the scoreboard.
Taking advantage of a flustered OSU defense proved key for the Longhorns to get runs early. Sophomore first baseman Jared Thomas reached first base on a fielding error, with sophomore shortstop Jalin Flores walking not long after. A sacrifice bunt enacted by Powell set Thomas and Flores within scoring range as Belyeu fired a double to bring them in to score.
Belyeu’s two RBIs in the first inning would be the only source of offense from either team for four innings.
“I just feel like the kid has earned the right to be where he is right now because he’s putting in the work,” head coach David Pierce said. “He’s just been a tremendous guy to have in our lineup.”
Texas starting junior pitcher Ace Whitehead remained poised at the mound and paved four scoreless innings for the Cowboys, allowing one hit and no runs. Despite giving up five walks and throwing two wild pitches, Whitehead struck out three batters. Whitehead was retired at the top of the fifth inning and relieved by junior David Shaw.
Shaw presented OSU with a chance to get in the game by allowing a single and a batter hit by a pitch that combined for an RBI to put the score at 2-1. One more batter hit by a pitch signaled that Shaw’s time was over.
With pitching frustrations beginning to resurface, the Cowboys were able to tie up the score in the seventh inning from a double slammed to right field by sophomore left fielder Nolan Schubart. The Texas defense saw four pitching changes for the afternoon while OSU was content with its starting junior pitcher Brian Holiday, who succeeded in keeping the Longhorns off the board for five consecutive innings.
Redshirt senior Porter Brown made his way around the bases during the bottom of the seventh inning to put Texas up 3-2. A double and a balk sent OSU past home plate as well, carrying a 3-3 score into the bottom of the eighth.
Belyeu’s two-run home run and a double hit by sophomore catcher Rylan Galvan for another RBI would solidify another Longhorn win. This marks the team’s first time with a victory in the first two games of a series since February against Cal Poly.
Texas hopes to get the series sweep on Sunday at 1 p.m. as it makes its way up the Big 12 conference standings, sitting tied for second place.
