Bring out the brooms Horns’ fans, as Texas swept rival Texas A&M over the weekend, sending the Aggies home with their tails between their legs!
Texas’ pitching has been the story the last few weeks as they have given up only 21 runs in their last 10 games. Kenn Kasparek has led the way with a 24-inning scoreless streak, including a no-hitter against Texas State.
Freshman Chance Ruffin has been almost as good with a complete game against Baylor where he gave up 1 run in seven innings. In game one against A&M over the weekend, Ruffin allowed only 1 run on six hits. Jordan Danks saw to it that A&M left UFCU Disch-Falk Field on a stretcher as he hit two triples in the game with three runs batted in to give the Horns’ the 5-2 victory.
Junior Austin Wood has come to life of late, pitching his first career complete game against A&M over the weekend. Wood allowed 2 runs in the first inning and then manhandled the Aggies from that point on, recording eight scoreless innings in giving the Horns a 5-2 win in game two. Kyle Russell made sure Wood got the victory, blasting his 14th home run of the season.
In game three, Kasparek gave up 3 runs in six innings pitched and struck out six Aggies. Cole Green came into the game and put a stop to any rally Texas A&M was thinking about by pitching 2.2 scoreless innings to get the save and preserve the sweep for the Horns. With the score tied at 2 in the top of the sixth inning, Russell blasted his 15th home run of the season to give the Horns a 3-2 lead. Russell Moldenhauer hit his first bomb of the year in the ninth inning to put the game away for Texas.
The Horns improved to 34 wins, 19 losses (15-12 Big 12). Texas has won six games in a row and nine of their last 10 contests to move into fifth place overall in the Big 12. The sweep couldn’t have come at a better time for the Horns as they prepare for this weeks Big 12 Tournament. Texas comes in as the No. 5 seed and will play the opening game against No. 4 seed Missouri at 9am on Wednesday, May 21.
If the Horns keep hitting the ball well and the pitching stays consistent, maybe the Big 12 Tournament crown and the College World Series is not out of the question.
This article appears in May 16 • 2008.