No. 9 Texas falls to Oklahoma, 3-2, in series finale

Faced with a chance to sweep the Oklahoma Sooners, the No. 9 Texas Longhorns weren’t able to take advantage of their opportunities on Sunday, falling 3-2 at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.

Right-hander Kolby Kubichek struggled with his command early in the game, but battled through those issues and ultimately gave Texas 6.2 innings, during which he allowed two runs on three hits with four walks and three strikeouts.

Oklahoma was able to get to Kubichek in the third inning thanks to a walk and a full-count double down the right-field line that put runners on second and third with one out. Texas head coach David Pierce opted to intentionally walk Oklahoma first baseman Tyler Hardman, who hit two home runs on Saturday, to load the bases. A sacrifice fly to center field scored one run and a wild pitch by Kubichek scored the second.

In the fourth inning, the Longhorns had a chance at a big frame, loading the bases with one out thanks to a single and two walks. But first baseman Ivan Melendez struck out swinging and catcher Silas Ardoin was thrown out at home trying to score from second base on a single by second baseman Mitchell Daly.

Texas loaded the bases again in the eighth inning as Pierce looked to manufacture a run — shortstop Trey Faltine led off with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt before left fielder Eric Kennedy drew a walk of his own. After third baseman Cam Williams struck out looking, Ardoin was hit by a pitch and center fielder Mike Antico scored Faltine with an infield single. With the bases loaded and a chance to take the lead, pinch hitter Dalton Porter struck out on three pitches.

Right-hander Aaron Nixon came on in the ninth inning after four outs from right-hander Tanner Witt in relief of Kubichek. Things went smoothly for Nixon against the first two batters, with Nixon retiring both, but three straight singles by the Sooners produced the final margin.

With one last chance to tie or win the game, Daly led off the bottom of the inning with a walk, but first baseman Zach Zubia, who entered the game as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning, hit into a double play and Faltine struck out swinging the end the game.

The loss drops the Longhorns to 17-7 on the season and 4-2 in Big 12 play. On Tuesday, the rivalry games continue as Texas travels to College Station to face Texas A&M on ESPNU.