AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Longhorns had to finish the last inning of the first game that got stopped last night because of weather in San Marcos. Texas won 9-1, then quickly got ready for the second game.
It was a perfect night for baseball. The sky was partly cloudy at the beginning of the game, a breeze waving the flags toward right field. Easton Tumis started on the mound, a Friendswood, Texas native.
The first three innings were uneventful. just four hits between the teams and five left on base.
Top of the fourth, Tumis walks two Texas State players with one out. Coach Pierce stretches toward the mound putting his left leg on one step higher as if he’s ready to take a walk to the mound. A single to left field brings in the first Texas State run and coach Pierce walks to the mound.
Then everything seemed to go in slow motion. Texas used six pitchers during the game, had nine hits, but left eight runners on base.
Two of the Texas three runs came off a Texas State wild pitch that sent Jared Thomas home in the bottom of the fourth, then Peyton Powell who advanced on the same wild pitch was brought home on a Max Belyeu double down the left field side. In the bottom of the seventh Jared Thomas smashed his 10th home run of the season 367′ over the right field fence.
In postgame, coach Pierce was calmly unhappy. Immediately following the game there was a team meeting. It is rare this happens so something needs correcting. Pierce said, “It starts with me. It starts with getting these guys in the right spot…it was more about getting much more reliable doing your job and just pounding the strike zone.”
Standing in the first base coaches box for our media time with coach after the game, Pierce said, “As the leader of the group, I mean, if we’re going to play better, it starts with me.”
Texas overall record is now 20-14. In conference play they are 7-5.
Texas travels to Houston for a Friday night game. Lebarron Johnson Jr will not be the starting pitcher like he usually is for Friday games.
The game will be on ESPN+ with a 6:30 p.m. start.
Discover more from Horns Illustrated
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.