The Texas Longhorns found themselves in a very uncomfortable place in the top of the eighth inning, after taking its first lead of the afternoon over Dartmouth.
With Dartmouth loading the bases after three pitchers, the shivering fans that sprinkled the seats at UFCU Disch-Falk Field rose to their feet for the first time since the seventh inning stretch in anticipation.
The Longhorns sent out junior pitcher Max Grubbs to preserve a thin 3–2 lead over a restless Dartmouth team never giving Texas room to breathe.
“When you have a strike thrower down there, then you just get him in there as soon as you can,” Texas head coach Jim Schlossnagle said.
Throwing two strikes, Grubbs just needed one more to get off the mound and keep the Longhorns in the lead for another inning. With the fans locked in, Grubbs prepared for his throw on the battered mound.
Grubbs’ pitch hit the back of junior catcher Rylan Galvan’s glove, striking out Dartmouth sophomore catcher A.J. DeMastrie for the final out easing the Longhorns out of the eighth inning.
The Big Green mounted its final offensive push in the ninth, with two runners on base Grubbs held his composure, striking out his third batter. A ground and fly out late in the ninth sealed Texas’ 3–2 victory over Dartmouth.
In his one inning of play, Grubbs was solid on the mound, getting awarded with the save. In 26 pitches thrown, Grubbs accumulated 18 strikes for two strikeouts, only allowing one hit and a walk.
“I think he can pitch in any role, and (I) just love the strikes,” Schlossnagle said. “At the end of the day, you’re going to default to that.”
Junior outfielder Max Belyeu has certainly established himself as one of the most potent hitters in the Longhorns lineup through his first five games this season.
Holding a team-best batting average of .524, Belyeu went two for two in his four plate appearances this afternoon, coming up big in the seventh inning with his RBI that brought in graduate student infielder Kimble Schuessler for the game-winning run.
“My job on this team is just to try to find ways to win and help each other and just compete out there,” Belyeu said.
Senior pitcher Andre Duplantier II came in as the second relief pitcher, eventually getting his first win of the season with 3.2 innings pitched. The sixth-year senior locked down the mound. On his 35 pitches, he threw for 25, striking out three of the 12 batters he faced, only allowing one hit all afternoon.
“It’s huge to have a six-year guy down there that’s been through a lot,” Schlossnagle said. “We had to talk him into coming back. He’s really taken it and run with it.”
Texas will look to sweep Dartmouth in the final game of its opening home series at UFCU Disch-Falk Field. The first pitch is scheduled for Sunday at noon.
