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Texas Baseball Sweeps K-State With Two Huge Hits & Epic Robbery

By James Caldwell

Jun 17, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) watches the ball clear the wall on Oakland Athletics designated hitter Khris Davis (not pictured) solo home run in the fourth inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 17, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) watches the ball clear the wall on Oakland Athletics designated hitter Khris Davis (not pictured) solo home run in the fourth inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
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Texas Baseball got two huge hits they were looking for to complete a sweep of Kansas State on Sunday.

In a wild Sunday afternoon game, Texas got the sweep with a 6-5 win. The keys were a three-run double from Travis Jones and a decisive solo home run from Kody Clemens.

Texas had struggled throughout Big 12 play to find a clutch hit. Last weekend against Texas Tech, the Horns lost 2-1 twice because they simply could not drive in runs with men on base.

Sunday appeared to be the same story with Texas starting 0-11 with Runners in Scoring Position. This allowed Kansas State to take a 4-2 lead into the bottom of the sixth.

Then, Texas loaded the bases for Travis Jones. And, Jones promptly smashed a liner down the left field line to clear the bases and put Texas ahead 5-4.

That clutch hit was exactly what Texas had been missing in Big 12 play. But, Kansas State tied the game 5-5 in the top of the seventh.

That set the stage for Clutch Hit #2. With two outs and no one on base, Kody Clemens went opposite field with a solo home run to give the Horns a 6-5 lead.

That huge home run held up, as the Texas bullpen completed the sweep. Texas advanced to 17-10 and 3-3 in the Big 12 conference after being swept by Texas Tech last weekend in Austin.

Texas Baseball’s Scoreless Streak Ends

The first half of Sunday’s game was just as intriguing as the second half.

Most notably, Tate Shaw robbed Kansas State of a two-run home run with an epic leap over the left field wall to record the last out in the top of the fourth.

That preserved Texas’ scoreless pitching streak, which included the final eight innings against UT Rio-Grande Valley on Wednesday and back-to-back shutouts against K-State on Friday and Saturday.

Texas then immediately turned around and scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 2-0 lead.

But, K-State finally broke through with a bases loaded double play in the top of the fifth to score their first run of the series. This ended Texas’ streak of not allowing a run in 31 innings.

Texas had a chance to escape the inning up 2-1, but Texas was unable to execute a terrific pickoff attempt, allowing K-State to score a second run. The Wildcats followed with consecutive RBI hits to take a 4-2 lead into the sixth.

Then, Travis Jones broke through with his massive three-run double to give Texas the lead. After K-State tied the game at 5, Kody Clemens got final separation with his solo home run to win 6-5. [ Full Box Score ]

Texas Needed The Clutch Hits To Get Sweep

Texas’ biggest struggle all season has been clutch hitting with RISP. We’ll see if Travis Jones’ double represents a breakthrough for the Horns the rest of the season.

The starting pitching was superb all weekend, anchored by Nolan Kingham and Morgan Cooper. And, the bullpen held on at the end after rocky sixth and seventh innings.

Texas needs the clutch hitting, starting pitching, great fielding, and late-inning bullpen work this coming week because Texas will be away from Austin for four games. It starts Tuesday night against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi before the Horns travel to Kansas to face the Jayhawks next weekend.

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

Texas returns to Austin on Tuesday, April 4 to face Sam Houston State before Oklahoma visits Austin in two weekends.

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