Kennedy keeps record perfect, helps UT baseball cruise past New Orleans, 7-1

By Steve Lansdale

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas offense was far from done when junior outfielder Travis Jones smacked a two-run home run in the bottom of the third inning, but as it turned out, that would be all the offense the Longhorns would need in a 7-1 victory over visiting New Orleans at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.

The win lifted UT’s season record to 26-15, while New Orleans fell to .500 on the season, at 19-19.

Jones chased [s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level2)]Kody Clemens around the bases to score what turned out to be the winning run, because left-handed starter Nick Kennedy turned in a gem of a performance, scattering four hits and striking out three over six innings to keep his record perfect; the victory was Kennedy’s sixth in as many decisions.

After Kennedy left, Tyler Schimpf, Parker Joe Robinson and Chase Shugart closed out the victory for Texas, allowing just three hits and the Privateers’ only run.

Head coach David Pierce said that while the offense that piled up 10 hits and seven runs is a much-needed component of a team’s success, it is the pitching that recently is giving the Longhorns a chance for success.

“I thought Nick pitched really well,” Pierce said. “He was a little beat up, sick, but he came out and he gutted it up. He was good with his fastball to a good fastball-hitting team. He struggled a bit with his secondary pitches, but just was able to throw his fastball in good locations.

“Our starters are giving us a chance to win. I thought Tyler Schimpf was really sharp. Parker Joe (Robinson) has been good for us in spots, and he just lost it tonight, and we weren’t going to chance it. I like what we’re doing, (but) there’s still so much room for improvement, though.”

Jones’ two-run homer was the first big hit, but not the only one. Like Jones, Kacy Clemens also went long, hittinghis eighth home run of the season, a solo shot in the fifth that put UT ahead, 4-0. Two innings later, he was back at it, singling up the middle to drive in his brother, Kody, and right fielder Travis Mathis.

“He has been great,” Pierce said of Kacy Clemens. “He got the big home run, but I was more impressed with the bases loaded and nobody out, and him not trying to do too much in that situation. He really showed some maturity, got a pitch he could handle and got the RBIs in.”

Three Longhorns — Mathis, Jones and Kacy Clemens — each had two of their team’s 10 hits, while Kacy Clemens had a team-high three runs batted in.

Perhaps the only flaw in the Texas performance was that the Longhorns came within an out of recording their second consecutive shutout, when shortstop Aaron Palmer reached Robinson for an RBI single, driving in catcher John Cable.

After the game, Kennedy revealed that he only found out early Friday that he would be getting the start for the Longhorns.

“It was short notice,” Kennedy said. “That can hurt you, but it also can help you. You’re not sitting there, thinking about it. You’re like, ‘alright, I’m pitching today.’ I just kind of showed up, stuck to the same old plan and it worked out.”

Despite his glistening record, Kennedy said he has seen ample room for improvement in recent starts, and said Friday’s victory offered evidence suggesting he is back on track.

“It was good,” he said of his performance. “I have kind of struggled the past two or three outings, so I’m glad I got to come back out and get my feet back under me and get going again.”

The Longhorns will try to clinch the three-game series when they face the Privateers again at 4 p.m. Saturday in a game that will be broadcast on the Longhorn Network.
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