The Horns were relentless tonight as they run rule the Sooners in 7 innings, getting a complete game shut out from starter Ruger Riojas.
Oklahoma (19-6, 4-3 SEC): 0
Texas Longhorns (21-4, 5-2 SEC): 14
Box Score
Winning Pitcher: Ruger Riojas (5-0)
Losing Pitcher: LJ Mercurius (5-2)
Key Moments:
In the Top 1st, with a runner on 3B and only one out, a soft tapper was hit back to Ruger Riojas. He briefly looked at the runner who was part of the way down the line and threw to Borba at 1B. The runner immediately bolted for home, but it was not meant to be as Borba fired home to Tinney who placed an outstanding tag to complete the double play and put up a zero on the board. That play set the tone for the game.
In the Bottom 1st, Carson Tinney drew a 1 out walk and then moved to 2B on a single by Aiden Robbins. After Tinney was tagged out at 3B going on first movement by the pitcher, Adrian Rodriguez came through with a clutch double to right CF for an RBI double to put the Horns up 1-0. Temo Becerra then hit a liner into RF for an RBI single, moving to 2B on the throwing error. Freshman Anthony Pack Jr then drew a walk to put another runner on and advanced to 2B on a wild pitch. This brought Casey Borba to the plate who hit a single through the shift on the left side for a two run RBI single to put the Horns up 4-0.
Recap:
The Horns came into the game having suffered an embarrassing loss on Tuesday against Houston and facing a short week. The night ended with a run rule victory in dominate fashion as Texas scored the most runs in a 1st inning this season, shut out the Sooners for the first time since April 2000, and in the process recorded the largest shutout victory over the Sooners in the history of the rivalry.
After taking the 4-0 lead in the 1st inning, the Horns came up short in the 2nd inning despite loading up the bases with just one out. Unfortunately Adrian Rodriguez’s 102 off the bat was right to the 2B who was able to complete the double play.
In the Top 3rd, Ruger was ruthlessly efficient as he retired the side in order, two of the outs coming first pitch ground outs.
In the Bottom 3rd, the Longhorn offense got going again as Temo Becerra got an infield single to the SS, followed by a double down the RF line from Anthony Pack Jr. Casey Borba again came through with a big hit as he hit a double to left CF, plating two runs and increasing the lead to 6-0 Horns. Jayden Duplantier then hit a liner over the glove of the 3B defender for an RBI double to put the Horns up 7-0. The only thing that derailed the rest of the frame was an odd infield fly in which the ump called it very late, resulting in a double play.
In the Top 4th, Ruger gave up a one out double, but bounced back to get a fly out and a strikeout to keep the Sooners off the board.
In the Bottom 4th, Oklahoma went to the bullpen and brought in TCU transfer Mason Bixby. He gave up a single to Aiden Robbins and walked Adrian Rodriguez, and then gave up an RBI single to Temo Becerra to make it 9-0 Horns. After giving up a walk to Anthony Pack Jr, he was lifted from the game, having failed to record an out. Casey Borba then reached on a fielder’s choice with the runner going out recording the out. Jayden Duplantier got the scoring going again as he hit a single through the left side, plating a run to make it 10-0 Horns. Ashton Larson then drew a walk to load the bases again. Borba scored from 3B on the next pitch thrown as it was a bouncer in the dirt that bounced away to make it 11-0 Horns.
In the Top 5th, Ruger issued a lead off single, but came back with a strikeout for the first out of the frame. Oklahoma then got another single, putting two men on base, but they were unable to capitalize despite getting loading the bases with 2 outs as Ruger got a strikeout swinging to preserve the shut out.
In the Bottom 5th, Aiden Robbins led off with a triple to CF, prompting another pitching change. After back to back outs, it appeared the Horns would spoil the chance to take advantage of the triple, but Anthony Pack hit another double to RF, plating a run to make it 12-0 Horns. Casey Borba, who ended up a triple short of the cycle put a punctuation on the game as he blasted a 2 run home run to LF (427 feet) to make it 14-0.
After a scoreless 6th inning by both sides, Ruger was back on the mound looking to finish off the complete game shutty in the Top 7th.
Ruger got the first hitter to fly out to CF, but then gave up a double to the left side on what should have been an error as the pitch was popped up high in the air and fell in next to Becerra due to the wind. Ruger was not phased though and bounced back with back to back strikeouts to earn his 5th win of the season.
Offensive Performance:
- Casey Borba: 3-4, 3 runs, 6 RBI, 1 HR
- Aiden Robbins: 3-4, 3 runs, 1 BB
- Anthony Pack: 2-2, 4 runs, 1 RBI, 2 BB
- Jayden Duplantier: 2-4, 3 RBI, 1 K
Pitching Performance:
Ruger Riojas: 7 IP, 6 hits, 2 BB, 8 K, 105 pitches (69 strikes)
Final Thoughts:
What a way to answer a dreadful ending to Tuesday night in Houston. On short rest and a shortened week in general, the Horns set the tone from the onset and kept their foot to the pedal. Even better news for Texas is that Ruger went all 7 innings, preserving the bullpen that will be needed Friday and Saturday.
Next Up:
The Horns will look for the series win tomorrow at 7pm. Check out the weekend preview for the pitching matchups and keys to victory.
