Matching his season high, pitching four innings, junior pitcher Max Grubbs allowed only three hits against one of the Southeastern Conference premier hitting units.
Holding the No. 8 Auburn Tigers runless with his stint on the mound, Grubbs and freshman pitcher Dylan Volantis were instrumental in No. 1 Texas baseball 3-2 victory over the Tigers Friday night.
“I just have a lot of confidence in my guys around me,” Grubbs said. “Rylan (Galvan is) the best catcher in the country, and that’s what he came out talking to me he was like, ‘Hey, you got great guys around you; you’re a great guy on the mound. You got the best catcher in the country’ and I solely believe that.”
In another top ten showdown at UFCU Disch-Falk Field, senior pitcher Jared Spencer was quickly placed in a hard place, letting up his first hit of the night. Heating up, Auburn junior outfielder Ike Irish rocketed the ball deep into center field for a two RBI home run to tack on an early 2-0 lead on the next at-bat.
Texas assistant coach Max Weiner was drawn to the mound to discuss with his pitcher, as Auburn’s team leader in batting average was up to bat. After some discussion, Schlossnagle approached the mound to retire his pitcher after the uncharacteristically short night.
“He doesn’t throw fastballs at 92, he throws fastballs at 94 to 97 and the home run was a 92 mph fastball,” Schlossnagle said. “I looked at Max and the next pitch was 91 so obviously he was just a little sore.”
Despite their ace failing early, Grubbs maintained the Longhorns’ dominant presence on the hill, stuttering the formidable Auburn bats. The veteran pitcher showed his experience, holding his composure as Auburn rang off two hits to put bodies on bases
“It’s definitely the next man up mentality with us,” Grubbs said. “Just playing two standard regardless of who’s on the mound or in the box or in the field, we got each other’s backs through and through.”
Becoming the Longhorns’ go-to closer, Volantis, has proved to be one of Texas biggest assets this season. Earning his ninth save of the season, the young pitcher was a lockdown presence, collecting four strikeouts to end his day.
“Honestly, I’ve never seen someone as good as Dylan and that’s on and off the field,” Grubbs said. “Just a great guy, first off, and obviously a great pitcher.”
Along with the stellar pitching, the Texas’ bats mounted their comeback in the sixth and seventh. A clutch double by junior shortstop Jalin Flores drove home sophomore infielder Ethan Mendoza for the game tying run. In the next inning, graduate student infielder Kimble Schuessler capped the Longhorns’ scoring, firing his fourth home run of the season.
Texas will look to take the series in their second game against Auburn tomorrow at 6 p.m. at UFCU Disch-Falk Field in Austin, Texas
