On Friday, the Longhorns travelled to Arlington to begin this weekend’s Red River series against Oklahoma at Globe Life Field. Behind a dominant performance from redshirt sophomore pitcher Pete Hansen, the Longhorns cruised to a 7-1 victory over the Sooners.
Following Tuesday’s 12-9 home loss to Texas A&M, in front of a sold-out crowd, the Longhorns needed a series opening win against another rival to help regain some of the team’s lost confidence. Despite a rocky first inning for Hansen, where he allowed three runners to get on base – allowing one to score, Hansen quickly found his composure after picking off a Sooner at second base with runners on and one out. In eight innings pitched, Hansen tallied a season-high 12 strikeouts, sailing his way to his season’s fifth win on the mound.
In addition to a dominant performance on the mound, the Longhorns, led by redshirt senior Skyler Messinger’s game-high four hits, did enough to keep runners moving on the base paths throughout the night. Furthermore, Messinger’s four-hit night certainly did its job in extending the third baseman’s hitting streak to 11 games. However, the game’s tipping point was found back in the top of the third inning when redshirt sophomore Douglas Hodo slapped a two RBI single, giving the Longhorns a 2-1 lead which they would not relinquish. In fact, even sophomore right fielder Dylan Campbell was able to add to the scoring action with a solo home run in the ninth inning, his first of the season.
The Longhorns will look to continue their winning ways against Oklahoma on Saturday at Globe Life Field. The first pitch is scheduled for 12 P.M. (CT) and the game will be aired on ESPN 2.
Game Stats:
- P: Pete Hansen; 8 IP, 12 Ks
- 3B: Skyler Messinger; 4-4, 1 R, 1 RBI
- RF: Dylan Campbell; 2-4, 1 HR
- Catcher: Silas Ardoin; 2-2, 2 R, 1 RBI
- CF: Douglas Hodo III; 1-5, 2 RBI
