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Grand Slam Leads to Fifth Straight Win for Texas Baseball

By James Caldwell

Sep 6, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) rounds the bases after hitting a grand slam against the Atlanta Braves during the third inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 6, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) rounds the bases after hitting a grand slam against the Atlanta Braves during the third inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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The first Texas Baseball Grand Slam in five years fueled a fifth straight win on Tuesday night against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

Down 2-0 in the second inning, Tate Shaw smashed a Grand Slam to give Texas Baseball a lead they would not give up on the road at Whataburger Field. According to the Texas Athletics department, it was the first slam since Mark Payton in 2012.

The Longhorns (now 18-10 on the season) went on to win 12-2 in seven innings due to the run rule.

Corpus Christi native Michael Cantu also had a huge night with an RBI double and two-run home run. Everyone in the lineup contributed in some form or fashion:

  • Travis Jones: 2 runs
  • Tate Shaw: Grand Slam, 3 runs, 5 RBIs
  • Kacy Clemens: 1 run
  • Bret Boswell: 1 run, 2 RBI
  • Michael Cantu: HR, 2B, 2 runs, 3 RBI
  • Kody Clemens: 3-3, 2B, and 1 RBI
  • Austin Todd: 1 run
  • Ryan Reynolds: Key HBP in 2nd inning to set up Shaw’s Grand Slam
  • David Hamilton: 2 runs

https://twitter.com/TexasBaseball/status/846935926878167040

Texas Baseball in Full Rally Mode

The key to the game was how the second inning started. Throughout the season, Texas coaches have stressed putting together rallies by being patient at the plate, drawing walks, and setting up the next man in the lineup.

After Texas A&M-CC scored two runs in the first inning, Texas immediately responded:

  • Kody Clemens walked
  • After a FC, Ryan Reynolds was HBP
  • After a FC, Travis Jones was HBP
  • Tate Shaw hit the Grand Slam with two outs

One walk and two hit batsmen set up the Grand Slam. Sometimes that’s what it takes to have a big inning and then set up the rest of the game.

From there, the Longhorns piled on five runs in the fourth inning, two in the sixth, and one in the seventh to score 12 unanswered runs against the Islanders.

The beneficiary of this offense was Nick Kennedy, who was credited with a complete game win. Kennedy gave up two runs in the first, but shut down the Islanders the rest of the game and racked up 11 strikeouts. [ Full Box Sore ]

Texas Baseball Huge Rally Started with Two Outs

Wouldn’t you know it, the huge fourth inning rally started with a walk? And, all with two outs:

  • After the second out, Jones walked
  • Shaw walked
  • Kacy Clemens HBP
  • Wild Pitch scored one run
  • Boswell singled in two runs
  • Cantu doubled in one run
  • Kody Clemens singled in Cantu

This is the formula for Texas’ offense this season. The Longhorns have fared well against decent pitching, but they have struggled to put together these types of innings against good to very good pitching.

That’s why the Horns are 3-3 in the Big 12 after being swept by Texas Tech during their first conference series and then sweeping Kansas State last weekend.

Now, the Horns are riding a five-game winning streak into a weekend road trip to Kansas. The Jayhawks are 1-2 in the conference after drawing top dog TCU in their first Big 12 series earlier this month.

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

The Horns will look to capitalize on Tuesday’s performance carrying a five-game winning streak into Lawrence starting Friday night.

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