The pride of Conway, Ark. made a splash at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Sunday, as Kansas State Wildcats freshman left-hander Jordan Wicks threw a complete game shutout against the No. 14 Texas Longhorns to take the series with a 2-0 victory.
For the first time in the short, but promising career of Wicks, the left-hander went the distance, though it was the third time this season that he’s completed an appearance without giving up any runs, earned or otherwise.
Over 129 pitches, a career high, Wicks struck out six while scattering five hits and four walks — Texas had baserunners, leaving 10 on during the game, but couldn’t come through with the key hit.
The Longhorns consistently got runners on base through the first five innings, leaving two runners stranded in each inning except the third. Then Wicks got into a rhythm, retiring 11 straight batters until Ryan Reynolds singled to start the bottom of the ninth. Unlike so many other games this season, however, Texas wasn’t able to mount a signature comeback, as Wicks slammed the door by striking out two of the final three batters.
The pitching certainly wasn’t the issue, especially out of the bullpen as relievers Tristan Stevens and Cole Quintanilla kept the Horns in the game with 4.1 innings of hitless work. The problem was that starter Coy Cobb gave up a home run to the first batter he faced, only went 2.0 innings, and Ty Madden gave up a double to open the fourth inning. A single and a groundout eventually scored the game’s second and final run.
Now at 5-6 in conference play, Texas simply hasn’t taken advantage of the break in the schedule following the brutal month of March. The offense is primarily to blame, as the Longhorns simply don’t have enough power or consistency to regularly score runs. Injuries to David Hamilton and DJ Petrinsky have hurt, as the roster isn’t deep enough right now to make up for those losses.
Changes are coming, however, according to head coach David Pierce, with Cobb moving out of the Sunday role that he’s occupied all season. Madden may be the best bet to step in there. In the field, Pierce doesn’t have as many options with a roster that boasts a collective .249 average this season.
So Pierce may make some moves, but hoping that more balls barreled up by Texas hitters find turf instead of gloves may be the only way these Longhorns turn things around short of the excellent pitching staff getting even better results.
The current homestand ends on Tuesday against Lamar.