With multiple hitters with successful at-bats and utilizing a wide range of pitchers, Texas baseball run-ruled Houston Christian 12-2 in seven innings. The shorter game came after its weekend series sweep versus Georgia that included an extra inning on Sunday.
“(I’m) really proud of the professional approach the guys had,” head coach Jim Schlossnagle said. “You have to find that same fine-level focus that you have when there’s a bunch of people here and you’re playing an SEC team. That’s the challenge of the game itself.”
Sophomore Ethan Mendoza put together his fifth game of the season with three hits. The infielder added to his multi-hit game with one run and five RBIs. His hitting performance comes after only two hits in four games the previous week, while also creating a 14-game hitting streak between Feb. 23 and March 18.
“Lately, I’ve been like muscling it up and trying to hit the ball hard, instead of just staying loose and letting it kind of happen,” Mendoza said. “I think when I’m at low effort, letting it fly, and letting it rip, that’s when I’m at my best.”
After out-hitting Georgia on the weekend, Mendoza was the only Longhorn with multiple hits. However, as a whole, the batting rotation tallied nine hits from 27 at-bats. The superior hitting performance was on full display during the second inning where the Longhorns took a commanding 6-0 lead.
Sophomore outfielder Tommy Farmer IV got the ball rolling with a double down the left-field, allowing graduate and sophomore infielders Kimble Schuessler and Casey Borba to find home plate.
“Nothing changes. You’re trying to swing into strikes, take the balls, control the strike zone and play good situational baseball,” Schlossnagle said. “We drew some walks tonight and got some hits with runners in scoring position. (Easton) Winfield, using the whole field, Mendoza using the whole field and I thought (Flores) had actually hit the ball pretty well tonight.”
The rest of the scoring in the second inning were results from hits that were produced by Mendoza, junior catcher Rylan Galvan and a fly-out from junior infielder Jalin Flores. Schuessler also hit a home run in the following inning.
With the offense firing on all cylinders, Schlossnagle’s team defensively won the game with five pitchers taking part in the game. While sophomore pitcher Kade Bing started the game, he was switched out for freshman pitcher Jason Flores in the second inning.
The freshman threw 34 pitches that resulted in 22 strikes and only two runs, earning Flores his third win of his collegiate career. Juniors Grayson Saunier and Aiden Moffett also had impressive outings that could potentially make an impact to the team’s pitching rotations.
“Saunier and Moffett, just two really big highlights for us. Guys that have been pitching really well in our simulated games and been throwing strikes,” Schlossnagle said. “If those guys can give us strikes, then that maybe allows us to be a little more consistent with Ruger (Riojas) and his routine.”
The Longhorns will travel to Lexington to take on the Kentucky Wildcats in their fifth conference series. Friday’s first pitch is scheduled for 5:30 pm CT.
