In contrast to the opening day, Texas’ second game in its series against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns was drenched in hits.
The scoring came and came early as both teams piled up a combined nine total runs in the second inning, with Texas scoring five and ULL pulling in four. Each would score one more throughout the duration of the game as Texas would finish out Game Two victorious and complete the series win by a score of 6-5.
Surprisingly, freshmen infielders Bryce Reagan and Lance Ford, and freshman outfielder Eric Kennedy, also known as “The Presidents,” led the way to a Longhorn victory. The three biggest catalysts in the Texas’ monster second inning, Ford and Kennedy tallied RBI doubles, while Reagan had an RBI single that turned into an error-propelled home run and scored two.
Others who contributed to the offensive success were juniors Austin Todd and Ryan Reynolds. Todd, who had two more hits to add to his three from Friday, has been white-hot since his first plate appearance this season. Reynolds, on the other hand, hit the Longhorns first home run of the season with a solo bomb in the seventh.
Texas’ starting pitcher Blair Henley did not have his best day on the mound. After allowing four earned runs in two innings pitched, he was replaced redshirt freshman Cole Quintanilla. Quintanilla, who made his collegiate debut after sitting out all of 2018 due to injury, excelled. In 2.2 innings, Quintanilla allowed zero runs on only two hits.
A combo of two freshman and a sophomore would relieve Quintanilla in redshirt freshman Tristan Stevens, true freshman Owen Meaney and sophomore Nico O’Donnell. The three would go for 4.1 innings combined and allowed zero earned runs on only two hits.
Youth was on display in the best of ways on Saturday afternoon as, both offensively and defensively, it took over the game. If the young players continue to show improved play, there may be permanent spots for the them in the Longhorn lineup.
Texas will attempt the sweep of the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns on Sunday, Feb. 17th, at M. L. Tigue Moore Field at Russo Park in Lafayette, La. First pitch is set for 1 P.M.
