Texas Drops Another Frustrating One-Run Game

Texas Baseball finished their road trip against Kansas on a frustrating note Sunday afternoon in Lawrence.

The Longhorns led most of the game, but Texas Baseball manager David Pierce left starter Blair Henley in the game too long against Kansas. The result was KU winning 5-4 to take the weekend Big 12 series.

Henley was given leads of 3-0 and 4-3 in the game. But, Kansas tied the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Texas never scored again. Meanwhile, Henley stayed in the game to pitch the eighth inning. Henley was near the magic number of 100 pitches, and the Jayhawks had seen Blair enough times to get a read on him.

Trouble started with a lead-off walk to Kansas’ Rudy Karre. But, Henley got the next two outs to nearly escape the inning. Unfortunately, while facing Devin Foyle, Henley threw a wild pitch that allowed Karre to advance to second base. Foyle then doubled in Karre to give the Jayhawks a 5-4 lead.

In the ninth inning, Texas went down in order without putting any pressure on the Kansas bullpen. This was unlike Saturday when Texas was also down one run in the ninth and were thrown out at the plate on the final play of the game. That snapped Texas’ six-game winning streak.

The loss on Sunday stung because it put Texas below .500 in the Big 12 Conference. Texas is now 19-12 overall and 4-5 in the Big 12. [ Full Box Score ]

Texas Baseball Should Have Put Game Away

Texas Baseball had a chance to put this game away early. But, the Horns hitters fell back into their season-long struggle to find a clutch hit.

When the Horns have been on winning streaks this season, they’ve found a clutch hit. But, when they get on losing streaks, it’s usually because the offense cannot produce a clutch hit to back the pitching staff.

In the third inning, Texas scored two runs on a bases loaded walk by Kacy Clemens and sac fly from Brent Boswell. But, the Horns left men in scoring position to end the inning. A big hit would have blown this game open early on.

In the fourth inning, Ryan Reynolds added a solo home run to give Texas a 3-0 lead.

Kansas then tied up the score at 3-3 in the bottom of the fourth. In the inning, the Jayhawks loaded the bases with no one out and put three runs on the board.

Texas responded with one run in the top of the fifth. They got a clutch hit from Michael McCann scoring Kacy Clemens, who stole second base to get into scoring position. But, McCann was thrown out at second trying to advance.

Texas did not get a man in scoring position the rest of the game. Meanwhile, KU tied the game 4-4 in the bottom of the fifth.

Kansas then got the final run in the eighth against starter Blair Henley to win 5-4.

Texas has been too inconsistent at the plate with RISP this season. When they win, it’s usually because the hitters are patient at the plate, draw walks, and set up the next man for a big hit. But when they lose, it’s the same formula of not enough clutch hits.

The hitters would argue that a 3-0 lead and 4-3 lead should hold up. But, Texas could have taken hope away from Kansas very early in this game when they put men on base. That would have made David Pierce’s decision easier in the eighth.

Next: How Kacy Clemens Became UT Legend vs. A&M

Instead, Henley faced one too many hitters and it cost Texas the series. The Longhorns will look to rebound at home Tuesday night against Sam Houston State. Then, Oklahoma visits Austin next weekend in another key Big 12 series.