A week after suffering an embarrassing loss at home to Tarleton State, the Horns suffered another ignominious defeat at the hands of the Houston Cougars as the bullpen and stagnant offense doom the Horns. This marks the first time since 2024 that the Horns have lost back to back mid-week games with the previous losses coming to Texas State and UTRGV.
Houston Cougars (13-11, 1-5 Big 12): 10
Texas Longhorns (20-4, 4-2 SEC): 7
Winning Pitcher: Harrison Boushele (1-0)
Save: Ryne Rodriguez (2)
Losing Pitcher: Cal Higgins (0-1)
Key Moments:
After Cal Higgins gave up the tying run in the Bottom 8th, a 408 foot home run to CF on the first pitch that the batter saw, Texas transfer Easton Winfield hit a grounder down the 1B line and reached base as Higgins was not there to cover and Borba could not get to 1B in time before the speedy Winfield legged out a single. That forced Jim Schlossnagle to go to the bullpen to bring in RHP Thomas Burns.
Unfortunately for the Horns, Burns again issued three walks late in a game, this time also giving up an RBI single to put the Cougars ahead by two runs and sealing the fate of the Horns.
Recap:
After the Horns plated a run in the Top 1st without recording a base hit, it looked like it might be a long night for Houston. Jason Flores backed that up by pitching three innings and giving up no runs, despite allowing a couple of base runners.
The Horns once again took advantage of poor command from Houston starter Caleb Kimble and reliever Caden Cooper, putting up a three spot in the Top 4th to go head 4-0. The Horns had the opportunity to do much more damage but Casey Borba struck out against the third Houston pitcher of the game got him to chase on a breaking ball low and away.
In the Top 5th, the Horns again took advantage of spotty command from the Houston pitcher and then got a timely hit from Ethan Mendoza who hit a two run RBI double down the RF line. Kudos to the Houston RF who got the ball in quickly, not allowing the speedy Jayden Duplantier to score and instead hold up at 3B. Those two runs put the Horns up 6-0 though. Not done quite yet, freshman Anthony Pack put together a nice at-bat and earned a walk and then Texas scored the 7th and last run of the game as Aiden Robbins reached on a fielder’s choice to make it 7-0 Horns.
In the Bottom 5th, freshman Brody Walls was back out for his second inning of work and did well to get the first out after falling behind 3-1. Unfortunately, things went downhill from there for the young freshman as Easton Winfield recorded a bunt single to the left side, followed by Walls hitting the next batter, to put two men on. Walls then walked the next batter on four straight pitches to load the bases, still with just one out. Jim Schlossnagle made a call to the bullpen to bring in crafty lefty Ethan Walker. After giving up a ground out to 3B which allowed the lead runner to score to make it 7-1 Horns, Walker then gave up a liner into CF which plated two more runs, making it a 7-3 ballgame and sending fans hearts reeling as they could see another doomed bullpen experience coming.
After a scoreless 6th inning and yet another 1-2-3 frame for the Horns hitters in the Top 7th, RHP Hudson Hamilton came in to pitch for the Horns. Texas transfer Easton Winfield welcomed him to the game with a 337 foot home run to LF to make it 7-4 Horns. Hamilton then gave up a double down the LF line, before battling back to get a strikeout. Unfortunately, Hudson then allowed a walk, forcing Schlossnagle to go back to the bullpen and bring in RHP Max Grubbs. On a crazy play in which the ball was lined back to Grubbs who was not able to hold on to it, he then threw it wide of 2B which allowed the runner to score to make it 7-5 Horns. The runner on 1B was off and running in the next at-bat and Andrew Ermis completely air mailed a throw down to 2B, which allowed another run to score to make it 7-6 Horns. Grubbs battled back to get the next two outs, but the damage was done and the Horns led by a lone run.
The Horns got a one out single from Aiden Robbins in the Top 8th, but that was it as Casey Borba struck out swinging and Adrian Rodriguez hit a hard grounder to the right side.
Schlossnagle turned to veteran lefty Cal Higgins in the Bottom 8th and he immediately got an out, but then gave up a 408 foot home run to CF to tie the ball game up. Things got worse as Easton Winfield then hit a hard chopper down the 1B line which Borba fielded, but Higgins was not covering and Borba could not get back to 1B in time, thus allowing a base hit. That prompted yet another pitching change as RHP Thomas Burns came in for the Horns.
Against the first batter Burns faced, he recorded a strikeout, giving hope to Texas fans that they could escape to the 9th inning with a tie game at least, but once again the bullpen crushed those dreams as Burns walked the next batter, then gave up an RBI single to RF, walked the next batter, and then walked in a run, requiring Schlossnagle to replace him with LHP Kade Bing who was able to get the last out of the frame. The damage was done though. The Horns bullpen allowed Houston to score 9 unanswered runs.
In the Top 9th, the Horns were retired in order as Becerra struck out, Maddox flied out to RF and Duplantier struck out.
Overall, it was another lack luster showing from the Horns who managed just 3 hits and committed 2 errors on the night as the bullpen allowed 8 hits and 9 runs from the 4th inning onward. Certainly not ideal and I think it is too early to push the oh shit button, but the coaching staff is going to have some decisions to make and conversations to be had, sooner rather than later. The physical stuff is there, so it is about the bullpen arms getting past whatever is affecting their performance. Hitting wise, recording just 3 hits is obviously not good. Yes, they drew 11 walks on the night, but the offense felt stagnant and did not appear to have great approaches at the plate for much of the night.
Offensive Performance:
Ethan Mendoza: 1-3, 1 run, 2 RBI, 2 BB
Pitching Performance:
Jason Flores: 3 IP, 1 hit, 2 K, 32 pitches, (18 strikes)
Brody Walls: 1.1 IP, 2 hits, 3 runs, 1 BB, 23 pitches (12 strikes)
Ethan Walker: 1.2 IP, 2 hits, 1 K, 23 pitches (17 strikes)
Hudson Hamilton: 0.1 IP, 2 hits, 2 runs, 1 BB, 1 K, 15 pitches (10 strikes)
Max Grubbs: 0.2 IP, 1 K, 7 pitches (4 strikes)
Cal Higgins: 0.1 IP, 2 hits, 2 runs, 11 pitches (7 strikes)
Thomas Burns: 0.1 IP, 1 hit, 1 run, 3 BB, 1K, 22 pitches (10 strikes)
Kade Bing: 0.1 IP, 7 pitches (5 strikes)
Final Thoughts:
Have a drink, take a shower, or just get a good nights rest and forget this one ever happened. The coaches are not unaware, nor are they ignoring reality. At this juncture, the coaching staff has certainly earned trust and credibility to get things sorted.
Next Up:
A top 10 tilt is on tap as #8 Oklahoma Sooners (19-5, 4-2 SEC) head to Austin for a three game series starting on Thursday at 7pm.
