Jim Schlossnagle and the Texas Longhorns continued their dominant run in SEC play, securing a hard-fought series win over the Kentucky Wildcats over the weekend. The No. 2 ranked Longhorns (29-5, 13-2 SEC) took the opener 6-3, dropped a grueling 15-inning battle 5-4 on Saturday, and then clinched the series with another 5-4 victory in Sunday’s rubber match.
Series Recap
- Game 1 (Texas 6, Kentucky 3): Texas second baseman Ethan Mendoza was the star, driving in four runs, including a go-ahead two-run double in the seventh inning. The Longhorns’ pitching staff, led by Jared Spencer (7 Ks) and Max Grubbs (6 Ks, win), kept Kentucky’s offense in check.
- Game 2 (Kentucky 5, Texas 4 – 15 innings): A marathon showdown saw Texas fall in extra innings after a 15th-inning error. Despite the loss, the Longhorns bullpen was stellar, allowing just five runs across the three games, with one being unearned.
- Game 3 (Texas 5, Kentucky 4): Texas looked poised for a comfortable win, leading 4-1 in the seventh, but Kentucky fought back to 4-3 before Texas added an insurance run. Will Gasparino (3-for-4, 2 RBIs) and Ruger Riojas (6⅔ IP, 3 ER, 3 Ks) played key roles in securing the victory.
Key Stats for Texas Players
- Ethan Mendoza: 4 RBIs in Game 1, now has 9 RBIs in two games.
- Will Gasparino: 3-for-4, 2 RBIs in Game 3, bouncing back after a tough 0-for-6 outing in Game 2.
- Kimble Schuessler: RBI double in Game 3, providing a crucial insurance run.
- Pitching Standouts:
- Jared Spencer: 7 Ks in Game 1.
- Max Grubbs: 6 Ks, win in Game 1.
- Grayson Saunier: Earned the save in Game 3, closing out the Wildcats despite late pressure.
With this win, Texas has now won all five of its SEC series this season, including victories over Mississippi State, Missouri, Georgia, LSU, and Kentucky. The Longhorns will return home to face UT Rio Grande Valley on Tuesday.
Texas is in prime position heading into the second half of SEC play, but with tough matchups against Auburn, Texas A&M, and Arkansas still ahead, they’ll need to keep their momentum rolling.
