Game two has both Texas and Tech fighting for their post season lives. The win last night pushed Texas ahead of both Tech and OU in the RPI rankings, for now. Texas moved up to #84, Tech at #88, and OU at #89. The rich get richer as the only sure regional participants TCU and OSU won last night. OSU beat OU to keep pushing them downward. Texas Tech is spiraling down with their fifth consecutive loss last night. They lost two midweek games to Grand Canyon at home last week. You would think that somebody between Texas, Tech, and OU would make a regional, but maybe not. The loser of the series here in Austin, will be in bad shape. If OU loses the series or gets swept by OSU, they are in trouble too. It's going to be a mad scramble, this and next week. Then a possibly even madder one, at the Big 12 Tournament, with so many team, playing for their post season survival. Here a couple of nice highlights from last night's Big 12 play. Gurwitz with a diving catch: Baylor's had a horrible season and lost to Kansas 2-0 last night, but had a triple play go around the horn. Today in Austin Texas goes for the series win, with Ty Culbreth on the mound. It's going to be an all staff situation, for the remaining two games of the series for Texas. With anybody available coming in to pitch, as the situation warrants. Some help from the Horn bats would be most welcome. It's a must win series for both teams, a series sweep for Texas would be most beneficial. It would vault them to fourth place in the Big 12 standing and chip away at that RPI rank. With Baylor and Texas State left on the schedule, it's your last chance to do that, before the Tournament. Game on LHN at 2 pm. Audio is texas.leanplayer.com. Waiting on the lineups, will post them when they come out.
Ty Culbreth, the left hander, usually a relief pitcher, gets the start today for Texas, because somebody has to. As we said all hands are on deck today and tomorrow, in the pitching staff, due to injuries. Cory Raley, the DH, leads off, from the right side. A ground ball to short is a routine 6-3 first out of the game. The center fielder Zach Davis, also bats righty, with one down. A flair to right field and Marlow goes back and has it over the shoulder, for two outs. Stephen Smith, the right fielder, bats righty, as the first two are retired. The big sweeping curve, comes across and is taken for a called strike three, to end the frame. Like last night Tech goes down in order, in it's first hacks, Texas comes to bat.
Cameron Smith, a lefty, gets the start for Tech today. You can see his and Culbreth's numbers above. Johnson leads off batting right handed. A hard hit grounder goes up the middle, for a lead single. Gurwitz bats righty, with one on. He squares and fouls off two bunt attempts. A full count and Johnson may be moving now. He doesn't and Gurwitz K's on a change up, a foot wide of the zone. Barrera bats righty, with one on and one away. He walks on four pitches to put two on. Cantu bats righty, with two on and one gone. Chance for early runs here. Johnson goes and just slides under the tag, for the steal Tech coach out, but Ben got in safely. Barrera held at first. A ground ball to short and the 6-4-3 double play ends the threat. Texas didn't execute and it cost them, so no runs in the first, for either side.
Culbreth is back to the hill, in the second, for the Horns. Left fielder, Tyler Neslony, leads off, batting left handed. The bender again comes across, for another backwards K, one down. Eric Gutierrez, the first baseman, bats righty, one out. A ground ball through the left side, is the first Tech hit, a single. Second sacker, Bryant Burleson, bats righty, with one on and one down. A full count and a fly ball to right center is in the glove of Gurwitz, for the second out. Orlando Garcia, the Raider shortstop, bats righty, with two gone and one aboard. A tailing fast ball is foul tipped into Cantu's mitt, for the swinging K, that retires the side. Bottom of two and 0-0.
Smith returns to pitch the second for Tech, after escaping a jam, in the first. Hinojosa, the DH, with his broken left hand, leads off, batting right handed. A one hopper to third goes 5-3, one out. Baker bats righty, with one gone. A pop up to short is quick second out. Shaw bats lefty, with two down. A fly ball to left and the left fielder charges and has it, the side goes in order. Two played, no runs allowed.
Culbreth again to the bump, for the third. The catcher, Tyler Floyd, bat righty, to lead off. A liner to left center, falls for a lead single. Michael Davis, the third baseman, bats lefty, with one on. He squares and he fouls it off, for an 0-2 count. He squares again, but takes the sharp breaker and it bends in, for another called strike three. That pitch has been really working today for Ty. Raley is the top of the order, batting righty, with one on and one down. A grounder to third and it's a 5-4 force, as the relay is just late at first. Zach Davis, bats righty, with one on and two outs. A fast ball on the inside corner is yet another backwards K, to end the frame. Tech can't execute either and we stay tied 0-0, bottom of three.
Smith will pitch the third, for Tech. Marlow leads off batting left handed. A grounder up the middle eludes the second baseman, for a lead single. Boswell bats lefty, with one on. He gets down the elusive sac bunt, it goes 3-4, for the out. Johnson is back, as the top of the order, batting righty. He lead of the game for Texas with a single today. Marlow is at second as a potential lead run. A ground ball to second is a 4-3 out two, Marlow to third. Gurwitz bats righty, with Marlow on third, two away. A clutch hit is needed, for the lead. The count runs full and this time, he lays off the outside pitch and walks to put runners on the corners. Barrera bats righty, with two on and two outs. Still need the two out hit, but Gurwitz could go and maybe steal a run. A ground ball to third and the 5-4 force, retires the side. More runners stranded and still no runs to report in the game, after three played.
Culbreth tries to keep the game tied, as he pitches the fourth. Smith leads off batting right handed. A sky high fly ball to center is a can of corn for Gurwitz, one down. Neslony, bats lefty, with one out. A fly ball to right and the wind knocks it down, at the track, two gone. Gutierrez bats righty, with two outs. A fly ball to center and it retires the side in order. Texas pitching still shutting out Tech, for 13 innings now, needs some offense. It's 0-0, bottom of four.
Smith tries to hold serve, for Tech, in the Texas fourth. Cantu leads off, batting right handed. A ground ball to third is a 5-3 out one. Hinojosa bats righty, with one gone. Nothing has gone in the air to left, with the wind blowing out that way today. A liner to the first baseman is a second out. Baker bats righty, with two down. A grounder up the middle and the second baseman has at the bag, his across the body throw is on the mark, to retire the side in order. Four gone and still nada to nada.
Culbreth is still hurling, as the fifth is here. Burleson bats righty, leading off, for the Red Raiders. A ground ball to third and the 5-3 is out one. Garcia bats righty, with one down. A grounder to short and it's a very routine 6-4 out two. Floyd bats also righty, as two are retired. A full count and a liner to right is to Shaw, to retire the side in order. Halfway through the second game of the series, still 0-0. Another low scoring game at the Disch, what a shock.
Smith is still in the game, pitching for Tech, in the fifth. Shaw leads off, batting lefty. He K's swinging, on a slow change, for one away. Marlow bats also lefty, with one down. He is hit on the backside, by a slow change, to reach. Boswell, bats lefty, with one on and one down. He K's swinging, pulling his head off the fast ball, it's two outs. Johnson bats righty, with one on and two gone. He has a second ground ball up the middle, for another single. Gurwitz bats with two outs and two on. Same old story, need a big two out hit, to score. A wild pitch to the backstop, moves the runners up. A hit is two runs now. A big curve ball has Gurwitz way off balance, another swinging K, retires the side. More runners stranded, tied 0-0, after five.
Culbreth attempts to keep things knotted, as the sixth starts. Michael Davis leads off, batting lefty, in the nine hole. A flair is just over Marlow, for a lead single. Raley, the lead off hitter, bats righty, with one on. A full count and the runner goes and the hit run produces a single through the hole, on the left side. Skip is out to talk strategy. Zach Davis bats righty, with two on at first and second. The bunt goes to third and Boswell charges and his throw to first, pulls Barrera off the bag, an infield hit. Smith bats righty, with the bases loaded. Big trouble here. A full count and a fly ball to right is a SF. Tech leads 1-0. Both runners tagged on the deep fly and moved up, so no double play opportunity now. Infield stays back, as Neslony bats lefty, with two on and one out. Fly ball to left and Johnson has it in foul ground, another SF and another run. Tech leads 2-0. Guteirrez bats righty, with one on and two away. A slow roller and Boswell has to eat the ball, as another run scores, on the infield hit. Tech leads 3-0. Burleson bats righty, with one on and still two outs. A fly ball to the gap, in left center, the wind carries away from Johnson and it lands for a double and another run. Tech leads 4-0. First well hit ball of the inning, makes this game a hard one for Texas to win now, the way the bats are. Garcia bats righty, with one on and two outs. He K's swinging and that finally ends the frame. The damage is done and Tech a very huge looking 4-0 lead, to the bottom of six.
Smith has a nice lead to work with, as the Horn sixth begins. Barrera leads off, batting righty. A ground ball to short, a 6-4 out one. Cantu bats righty, with one away. A line shot to right, is right at the right fielder, two gone. Hinojosa bats righty, with two outs. He K's swinging at a very high heater, to retire the side in order. No answer by Texas, in their half of the inning, Tech leads 4-0, after six.
Culbreth is out, he ran out of gas and some bad luck last inning. The new Texas pitcher is lefty, Travis Duke. Floyd leads off, batting righty, as the seventh starts. He bunts and Duke fields and wheels and fires to first, for a 1-3 out. Michael Davis bats lefty, with one down. He walks, for a runner. Raley brings the top of the order again, batting righty, with one on and one out. A liner to center is a single, to put two aboard. Skip out and he wants a righty. Pitching change.
Chad Hollingsworth, the veteran right hander, comes in to pitch. This tells me that the coaches don't expect much of him this series. He wouldn't be coming into a 4-0 game, in the late innings otherwise. He still has a tender shoulder. Zach Davis bats righty, with two on and one down. A bunt and again Boswell has no play, he needs to let that go and see if goes foul, there was no chance to get him. Smith bats righty, with the bases loaded and one out. A long fly ball to left, goes over the foul pole, for a grand slam homer. Tech leads 8-0. Game, set, and match in this one now. Hollingsworth still has very little to offer, right now. Neslony bats lefty, with one out. A ground ball to first, the 3-1 play is two away. Guteirrez bats righty, with two outs. Another line shot is to lefty, a single. Skip out and Hollingsworth is gone. Shouldn't have pitched, but I guess 4-0 or 8-0 doesn't matter much, with little offense. Pitching change.
Freshman right hander, Jake McKenzie, is in now. Burleson bats righty, with one on and one down. He gets hit by a fast ball, to put two on. Garcia bats righty, with two on and two outs. A liner to center is a single, to plate one more. Tech leads 9-0. Floyd bats righty, as he bats for the second time this inning, with two on and two gone. A bloop to center and Gurwitz on the dead run has it, as he goes to his knees, to retire the side. Tech blows it wide open and leads 9-0, as they stretch in Austin, well those that have remained in the stands.
Smith stays in to pitch, as the seventh for Texas begins. Baker leads off, batting righty. He grounds out to short, for one away. Shaw bats lefty, with one down. A little liner drops in center, for a single. Marlow bats lefty, with one on and one out. Coach out to talk, but leaves him in. Shaw is picked off first and the play goes 3-6, for out two. I don't even want to talk about how bad a play that is, I guess it really doesn't matter anyway. Marlow K's swinging and suddenly the frame ends. Playing out the string in this one now, Tech leads 9-0, after seven.
Kyle Johnston, the freshman right hander, comes in to pitch the eighth, to work on his command. Michael Davis leads off, batting righty. A ground ball to third goes 5-3 and one away. Raley will bat, at the top of the order once more, with one down, batting righty. A slider is taken on the outside corner, for a called third strike, two outs. Smith bats righty, with two away. He walks, for a runner. Neslony bats lefty, with one on and two gone. A fly ball to center ends the frame. Bottom of eight and Tech in command 9-0.
Smith continues on, as the eighth for Texas starts. Boswell leads off, batting lefty. He has had no clue against Smith today. He's fooled by a breaking pitch, but reaches out and sends a bloop left center, the center fielder has it on the run and dive, out one. Johnson bats righty, with one down. He is the lone bright spot on offense today. He drives one to left center and it's off the wall, for a double and his third hit, of the game. He's an army of one today. Gurwitz bats, righty, with one on and two outs. They brought "Smokey" to the game today, to fire for runs scored. So far they are saving on shotgun shells. I guess Patterson is happy about that. A double to left goes off the wall, the run scores and a ten gauge shell is gone. Tech leads 9-1. Barrera bats righty, with one on and two down. He flies to center, to retire the side. Texas gets on the board and the Texas Cowboys get some work, Tech leads 9-1, after eight.
Andy McGuire comes in to pitch the ninth, another pitcher that is trying to figure some things out and contribute. Guteirrez leads off, batting righty, in the ninth. A line smash goes directly to Johnson in left, for one away. Burleson bats righty, with one down. A full count and a walk, on a low pitch. Garcia bats righty, with one on and one out. A liner to Gurwitz, in center, is out two. Floyd bats righty, with one on and now two away. A fly ball to left, will retire the side. To the bottom of the ninth, Tech leads 9-1, three outs from evening the series.
Smith goes for the complete game win, in the ninth. This save Tech's pen. Hinojosa leads off batting right handed. A liner to right is a lead single. Baker bats righty, with one on. A ground ball to second and it's a 4-6 force, for out one. The relay was late and wild, but no advance. Shaw bats lefty, with one on and one down. A fly ball to right is an easy out two. Marlow bats lefty, with one on and two outs. He is Texas's last hope in this one. A liner goes right into Smith's glove, to end the game on the 1U. Tech wins 9-1, to even the series at 1-1. Need a well deserved break and will be back.
A relief pitcher in Culbreth pitches well but some well placed balls, not hit well and one that was hit hard, did him in in the sixth. It's a patchwork pitching staff right now. Even trying to use Hollingsworth to eat some innings, after the game was really decided. Texas had chances early and as happened for the majority of the season, couldn't get the big hit, when needed to score. It's a wash, rinse, and repeat process that has become all too familiar to Texas baseball fans. That leads to losses. Tomorrow is a big game for both teams again, the loser will most likely have to win the Tournament in Tulsa, to reach a regional. The winners is not a shoe in by any means, but still has a chance at an at large regional bid. I am going to go watch the Kentucky Derby. I hope that it is a better race, than this game was. See you tomorrow, for the rubber game of the series.
Didn't get to watch the game and so I come on here to see what happened and so far, I only saw the final score. As Slim Pickens said in Blazing Saddles, "What in the wide-wide world of sports is ah goin' on here?" 9-1? I will read NBH7's eloquent PBP, but I am sure I won't feel any better about what happened. Horns better bring their A game on Sunday... they need that win.
If this team makes the tourney, except if they win the Big XII, then my perception of the tourney will drop a bit.
Texas has been eliminated, as far as winning the Big 12 regular season title. The only way they don't make the tournament, is if they lose all four remaining conference games. Even if they do lose all four conference games, they could still get in depending on what happens with Kansas, Kansas State, and West Virginia. They have the tie breaker advantage over all three of those teams. If they lost all four, Baylor would of course have the tie breaker over Texas.
At this point I would like to see Augie retire as his career, even at Texas by itself, should dictate. Patterson should be talking to him about what is needed to do that whether it is after this season or next. Get the date out there and get on with the future so it can be a net plus for the program. Now, it would be great to have the injured team rally to greatness to bring back some of the good will to end the year where it ends.(hearkening again to last year) The story about Augie hanging out on the end of the bench not talking, nor participating, tells me he is seeing the writing on the wall. Someone needs to call timeout and have one of Augie's talks with him. Zen the Zen-master so he wakes the f**k up and sends this team and himself out right.(whenever that will be)
