The Texas defense carried the team Tuesday night against the University of Texas at Arlington. Coming off a weekend of above average offense and struggles on the mound, the Longhorns put together a solid defensive effort against the Mavericks.

The Longhorns defeated the Mavericks 2-1. Despite surrendering seven hits with one error, the Longhorns (3-1) looked solid on defense and protected the lead through the close-scoring game.

“I am happy with the way this team is being consistent,” head coach Augie Garrido said of the defense. “We played hard, they didn’t let the play on offense get to them.”

Freshman Chad Hollingsworth started in his first game for the Longhorns and pitched five solid innings from the mound. After walking his first batter, Hollingsworth surrendered a hit before an error loaded the bases. Keeping his head, the freshman quickly pulled off back-to-back outs, including a strike-out, to keep the Mavericks scoreless.

“Our defense really played for us today. I got into some jams, but our defense picked it up and got me out of it,” Hollingsworth said.

UT-Arlington’s only run came off a triple to right field by junior Matt Shortall that fell right inside the fence, just out of junior Mark Payton’s reach.

Throughout the game, the Texas defense had a habit of getting out of bad situations without much damage. Freshman Travis Duke came out of the bullpen for Texas in relief at the top of the sixth inning and was immediately effective for the Longhorns. Duke registered two strikeouts and faced the minimum in his first inning on the mound.

Several times throughout the game, the Mavericks threatened to strike but were unable to gain any momentum from the Longhorns. In the seventh inning, Duke surrendered a hit with one out and was relieved by sophomore Cameron Cox who gave up another single to center field.

Junior Ty Marlow, who was credited with the save last Friday night against Sacramento State, came in to clean up for the Longhorns pitching two straight outs. Junior Corey Knebel came in as closer in the eighth surrendering only one hit in two innings while striking out three.

On offense, junior Erich Weiss headlined the night with a two RBI effort in the third. With the bases loaded and one out, Weiss hit a line drive just inside the third-base line to plate both first baseman Codey McElroy and designated hitter Matt Moynihan.

The Longhorns had multiple scoring opportunities throughout the night but were unable to capitalize on several stolen bases and UT-Arlington defensive shortcomings. The Longhorns finished the evening with five hits. Moynihan’s single that led to a run in the third marked his fourth consecutive game with a hit.

Published on February 20, 2013 as "Defense triumphs in win".