Baseball completes three-game sweep of Kansas State

By Steve Lansdale

AUSTIN, Texas — It would be simplistic to say that the Texas baseball team completed a three-game sweep of Kansas State Sunday because of its offense and defense … but it also would be accurate.

The Longhorns improved their season record to 17-10 and evened their mark in games against Big 12 teams at 3-3 thanks to a 6-5 victory over the Wildcats (15-9 overall, 0-3 in Big 12 games) at UFCU Disch-Falk Field that was highlighted by [s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level2)]a home run-saving over-the-outfield-fence catch by left fielder Tate Shaw and a game-winning solo home run by designated hitter Kody Clemens.

The teams battled through three scoreless innings before UT broke the scoring drought, but not before Shaw made the defensive play of the game, and probably the season. In the top of the fourth, KSU designated hitter Trent McMaster drove a fastball from Texas starter Blair Henley to left field for what appeared to be a two-run home run, until Shaw raced to the wall and jumped, slamming his ribs into the top of the wall while bring the ball back.

The Longhorns backed up Shaw’s defensive heroics in the bottom half of the inning when third baseman Ryan Reynolds drove in catcher Michael McCann with a ground ball and reached base on a throwing error. Freshman shortstop David Hamilton then doubled the UT lead when his team-high fifth sacrifice fly drove in pinch hitter Patrick Mathis, who reached base when he was hit by a pitch.

The Wildcats rallied in the top of the fifth, scoring four runs off Henley and reliever Chase Shugart. Texas responded in the top of the sixth by loading the bases on a Kody Clemens double and walks by Reynolds and Hamilton before right fielder Travis Jones gave UT the lead with a three-run double down the right field line.

Kansas State tied the game in the top of the seventh before Kody Clemens provided the winning run on a two-out home run to left-center field.

Shugart got the victory for the Longhorns, while Beau Ridgeway allowed just one hit over two innings to earn his fourth save of the season.

The Longhorns will be back in action at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday when they head to Corpus Christi, Texas, to take on Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

[/s2If] [s2If !current_user_can(access_s2member_level2)] [article-offer] [/s2If]