:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63114395/Whelan.0.jpg)
On a picture-perfect day at UFCU Disch-Falk Field, the Texas Longhorns took care of business, handing Purdue a 3-0 loss to secure another series victory.
David Pierce, who is continuing to weigh all of his starting pitching options, sent sophomore RHP Matt Whelan to the mound on Sunday.
Whelan delivered with a strong performance, tossing five complete innings, allowing just two hits, no base on balls, and a trio of strikeouts. He did hit two batters on a couple of pitches that got away.
After mustering just one hit in game two of Saturday’s doubleheader, the Texas offense turned to a small ball approach to open Sunday’s contest.
Duke Ellis led the game off with a textbook bunt for a base hit on the opening pitch of the ballgame.
Eric Kennedy followed suit with a bunt single of his own. Kennedy was initially ruled out on a close play at the bag, but the call was shortly overturned after the umpires turned to replay to get a closer look.
Austin Todd got the Longhorns on the board after roping a long RBI single down the left field line. Off the bat it looked like sure extra bases for Todd who was forced to settle for a single after Kennedy failed to advance passed the second base bag.
Zach Zubia erased the missed opportunity with a productive ground out, allowing both runners to advance 90 feet.
The ‘Horns tacked on two more in the first on a two RBI double off the bat of DJ Petrinsky.
The first inning proved to be a critical one, as the Longhorns were held scoreless the rest of game. The good news, however, is the Longhorns pitching staff delivered nine shutout innings.
Kamron Fields turned in three strong innings in relief setting the table for Cole Quintanilla to close the game out for the Horns in the 9th.
Quintanilla, who has been on an absolute tear in his debut season for the Longhorns, quickly retired the first two batters of the inning via the strikeout before allowing a two-out base hit.
The lone base hit would be all the Boilermakers would get in the 9thl as Quintanilla bounced back, slamming the door shut with his third strikeout of the game.
Final: Purdue 0 Texas 3.
With the win, Texas is now 6-2 on the young season and on the right side of momentum ahead of a very big week of baseball for the Horns.
Texas is back in action for a pair of midweek games against Sam Houston State (Tuesday) and UT-San Antonio (Wednesday) before the LSU Tigers come to Austin for a three-game set.