Kacy Clemens Saves Texas Baseball from Disastrous Weekend

Texas Baseball took an even Big 12 record to Waco to play Baylor this weekend. They nearly lost all three games in the series, but senior Kacy Clemens made sure the ride back home to Austin was sweet and not bitter.

After Texas blew a late 3-0 lead for the second consecutive game, Kacy Clemens delivered a huge home run in the top of the tenth inning to give Texas a 5-3 win on Saturday.

On Friday, Texas could not find a clutch hit in the same situation, leading to the Horns losing 4-3 to Baylor. On Saturday, Clemens delivered big.

Here’s how the weekend series unfolded for Texas Baseball…

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Texas vs. Baylor Game 1 – Thursday Night

Nolan Kingham had easily his worst start of the season to begin the series. Baylor hit him early and often to the tune of six runs and nine hits allowed in five innings.

Before this game, Kingham had only given more than six hits one time, let alone six runs.

The outing bumped Kingham’s ridiculously low ERA up to 2.08, which any starting pitcher in America would gladly take. But, Kingham was hovering around a 1.00 ERA before this outing.

Trouble started in the second inning. With two outs and no one base, Kingham gave up a walk. And then a single, walk, double, and another single to give up four runs just like that.

Meanwhile, the Texas hitters were unable to string together enough hits to rally the Longhorns. They fell into their bad habits of poor at-bats with Runners in Scoring Position, which also hurt the game on Friday. [ Full Box Score ]

Final Score: Baylor 6, Texas 2. Texas dropped to 6-7 in the Big 12 Conference.

Texas vs. Baylor Game 2 – Friday Night

You can put this loss in the same frustrating class as the three losses against Stanford over a 24-hour period.

Texas had no business losing this game and easily could have put the Bears away multiple times.

Texas jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning and 3-0 lead in the fifth. Meanwhile, Texas starter Morgan Cooper was dominant. But, for the second consecutive start, the pitch count caught up to him.

Cooper was only able to make it through five innings throwing 101 pitches. What hurt were four walks.

But, what really hurt was Texas not blowing this game open in the fifth.

After Texas made it 3-0, the Longhorns had second and third with no one out. But, Travis Jones struck out, Kacy Clemens struck out, and Michael McCann flied out.

Baylor then struck in the bottom of the eighth with three runs against the bullpen to tie the game and erase Texas’ commanding lead.

Texas had a chance to get the runs back in the top of the ninth. With a man on third and less than two outs, Zane Gurwitz struck out and Travis Shaw grounded out.

Then, in the bottom of the ninth, Baylor had nearly the exact same situation. And, the Bears delivered a clutch two-out single against Texas closer Beau Ridgeway. [ Full Box Score ]

Final Score: Baylor 4, Texas 3. Texas dropped to 6-8 in the Big 12 Conference.

Texas vs. Baylor Game 3 – Saturday Afternoon

Texas again jumped out to a 3-0 lead against the Bears. And, starting pitcher Kyle Johnston left the game in position to win.

But, like many Texas games this season, the Horns started hot in the first two innings, then went dry in the middle innings.

The Horns collected an RBI single from Travis Jones, sac fly from McCann, and a big fly home run from Michael Cantu to take a 3-0 lead.

But, Texas was unable to extend their lead. So, Baylor chipped away with a run here and a run there.

Then, in the bottom of the ninth, Baylor delivered another two-out clutch hit against reliever Nick Kennedy to tie the game at 3. Oh, the humanity.

This could have turned into the Stanford series with three straight very frustrating losses in a row. But, in the top of the tenth, Kacy Clemens delivered a super clutch home run to give Texas a 5-3 lead.

Beau Ridgeway then protected the lead to give Texas the win and salvage the road trip to Waco.

Final Score: Texas 5, Baylor 3 in 10 innings. Texas Baseball improved to 7-8 in the Big 12 Conference.

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Texas vs. Baylor Weekend Recap

Texas desperately needed the road win on Saturday afternoon to feel good about themselves and their NCAA Tournament status heading into the last month of the season.

After nearly sweeping Oklahoma last weekend, the Longhorns’ RPI jumped from 66 to 34. Texas did not want to give up that jump the following weekend against Baylor.

The Longhorns do not play any conference games next week, as they host Texas State on Tuesday before hosting New Orleans Friday through Sunday.

Their next Big 12 series is in two weekends back on the road again in Stillwater, Okla. to play Oklahoma State. [ Upcoming Schedule ]

Next: Kacy Clemens Interview - 2017 UT Baseball, CWS, more!

If the Horns are going to make the NCAA Tournament, they need more moments like Kacy Clemens delivering a clutch homer. We’ll see if they can springboard off this game in their non-conference games this coming week.