The Longhorns had to work for their 18th straight win in Baylor Ballpark on Friday night. Kevin Lusson fired first with a single that brought Cameron Rupp home. The Bears responded with two runs in the bottom of the sixth to put UT down 2-1. The tying run came through old-school small ball: Brandon Loy took a walk, was sacrificed over to second, advanced to third by a Rupp grounder, and was finally brought home by Moldenhauer. In the top of the tenth, Walla, Loy, and Shepherd loaded the bases before Montalbano walked, scoring Walla. Keyes then brought home Loy on a sacrifice fly to give the Horns a 4-2 victory.
Once again, Chance Ruffin lived up to his high reputation. In three scoreless innings the closer struck out six of the thirteen batters he faced. His work was good enough to take credit for the win. Ruffin commented on his mindset after the game, "Don’t give up a run. That’s the same mindset that I have every time I step on the mound. I try to be perfect and adjust from there." The Daily Texan had a great article in Friday’s paper on Chance’s adjustment from starter to closer. Garrido, with the help of famed alumni Huston Street, convinced Ruffin that a proven closer would be essential to a deep run in Omaha. It was a tactical move that surprised many people but quickly proved to be a great decision. The DT also pinpointed the reason behind the Horn’s current streak: Chance Ruffin is growing out a mullet until the Horns lose. Fellow pitcher Taylor Jungman laughed about it saying, "He is rocking a mullet… He likes to flare it out a little bit." Hopefully, with the way the Horns are playing and a little luck, it will be growing all month.
Righty Cole Green throws the first pitch tonight at 8 PM. His record speaks for itself: 9-0 with a 1.82 ERA. To the probable disappointment of our relievers, Green delivered nine scoreless innings last week and a one-hit complete game the week before. If you take a look at the top of the section behind home plate today you will see radar guns and notepads. I don’t think I need to tell you who came for.
Saturday, May 1, 2010 - 8 p.m. Central - On ESPNU
Texas: RHP Cole Green (9-0, 1.82 ERA)
Baylor: RHP Shawn Tolleson (2-5, 4.53 ERA)