The University of Texas scored a combined seven runs in the first two innings and coasted to a 7-1 victory over Texas State University in its UFCU Disch-Falk Field opener Tuesday afternoon.
Texas (7-5) pounced on the Bobcats for three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Travis Tucker was hit by a pitch to start the frame. Jordan Danks followed with a single through the right side of the infield and Chance Wheeless used a sacrifice bunt to move runners to second and third. Bradley Suttle plated Tucker with a single to leftfield and Kyle Russell drew a walk to load the bases. Preston Clark hit a sacrifice fly to rightfield, scoring Danks and Nick Peoples finished off the rally with an RBI single up the middle, driving in Suttle.
The Longhorns increased the lead to 7-0 with four runs in the second inning. With one out, Danks drew a walk and stole second base. With two outs, Suttle walked and scored on a double to leftfield by Russell. Clark pushed Russell across with a single to leftfield and Peoples finished another rally with a double to leftfield, plating Clark.
Texas State (8-3) scored its lone run in the top of the eighth inning. Gerry Cervantez and Casey Guest drew walks off Josh Prince who was making his first career pitching appearance. Joseph Krebs replaced Prince and induced a 6-4-3 double play, allowing Cervantez to move to third. Adam Witek single to centerfield, driving in Cervantez to cut the margin to 7-1.
Danks and Peoples each logged two hits to lead the Texas offense. Danks went 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Peoples was 2-for-3 with one double and two RBI. Tucker logged a single to push UT’s season-best hit streak to nine games.
David Wood and Aaron Garza had two hits apiece for Texas State.
Six Texas pitchers combined to allow seven hits and three walks in the win. Hunter Harris (1-0) earned the victory, scattering two hits over two scoreless innings. Alex Posey and Keith Shinaberry each added two scoreless innings of relief. Krebs and James Russell finished off the contest with one shutout inning apiece.
B.J. Boening (0-1) was saddled with the loss for the Bobcats. He allowed seven runs on five hits and three walks in 1.2 innings.
Texas returns to action at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday with the Longhorns hosting Washington State University in the first of a three-game series.
