Texas Longhorns baseball notches crucial 6-2 comeback win over West Virginia

Texas Longhorns baseball (33-19, 10-11 Big 12) scored six unanswered Friday night to defeat the West Virginia Mountaineers (31-21, 11-11 Big 12) 6-2 in the series opener.

The Mountaineers struck first against starter Nolan Kingham, grabbing a 1-0 lead in the second on an RBI single. West Virginia scored again in the top of the fifth and stretched the lead to 2-0 after three straight singles.

The Longhorns bounced back in the bottom of the sixth. With one out, Travis Jones reached first on a throwing error. Kacy Clemens then walked, and Brett Boswell smacked a double to score Jones and cut the deficit to one.

A wild pitch then scored Clemens to tie the game.

It was all ‘Horns from there. Nolan Kingham did not allow the Mountaineers to score in the following inning, and left after seven complete innings. The sophomore allowed 10 hits, one walk, six strikeouts, and two runs on the night.

In the bottom of the seventh, Texas broke open the game with a three run burst.

Kingham was replaced by Nick Kennedy. A Patrick Mathis RBI single, Kody Clemens sac fly, and Travis Jones RBI single gave Texas reliever Nick Kennedy some breathing room when he came on in the bottom of the eighth.

Kennedy retired the Mountaineer side in order on a pop out, strike out, and fly out.

Texas added a run in the ninth on a David Hamilton sac fly.

Beau Ridgeway entered the game to close for Texas, and like Kennedy, retired the side in order to give Texas a crucial win.

With the series opening victory in the season’s final series, Texas is closing in on locking up an NCAA tournament berth. If the ‘Horns split their final two games against the Mountaineers, then David Pierce’s team will feel very good about its chances of making the big dance.

The ‘Horns return to action tomorrow at 1 pm CST at the Disch.