The University of Texas struck out 16 Stanford University batters and hit four solo home runs en route to a 5-3 win over the Cardinal in collegiate baseball action Friday afternoon at The Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas.
The afternoon was highlighted by the performances of a pair of Russells for Texas. Kyle Russell went 2-for-4 with two home runs and two RBI. It marked his second two home run game of the season. Starter James Russell (1-1) allowed just two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out a career-high nine batters in five innings for his first career victory.
Stanford broke the scoring seal in the top of the first inning when Sean Ratliff drew a one-out walk, stole second base and scored on a single to rightfield by Brent Milleville to give the Cardinal a 1-0 lead.
Stanford tacked on another run in the top of the second with Ryan Seawell hitting a home run over the leftfield wall.
Kyle Russell trimmed the Stanford lead to 2-1 with a solo blast over the rightfield fence in the bottom of the second.
The Longhorns took their first lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Kyle Russell hit an equalizing home run over the 407-ft sign in right centerfield. Chance Wheeless followed with an infield single. Sacrifice bunts by Travis Tucker and Chais Fuller pushed Wheeless to third and he scored on an infield single by Nick Peoples to give UT a 3-2 lead.
Texas added insurance runs in the sixth and seventh innings with solo home runs off the bats of Tucker and Fuller, respectively.
Stanford made a late rally in the ninth. With two outs, Jeff Whitlow doubled down the rightfield line and scored on a single up the middle by Adam Gaylord. Randy Boone induced the final out of the game for his second save of the season.
Texas and Stanford return to action on Saturday for a 1 p.m. contest at The Dell Diamond.
