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The No. 3 Texas Longhorns used an impressive performance from left-hander Pete Hansen and scored two runs in the seventh inning and one run in the ninth inning to separate from the Texas State Bobcats late in a 5-1 win on Tuesday in San Marcos.
Hansen gave up a run in the first inning on two singles and a sacrifice fly, but then settled in and retired the final 17 batters that he faced in pitching 8.1 innings with three hits allowed and four strikeouts. Now 4-1 on the season, Hansen boasts a 1.94 ERA after another stellar outing.
Right-hander Aaron Nixon retired both batters he faced in the ninth to close out the win.
In the third inning, Hansen got all the scoring help he’d need as center fielder Mike Antico drew a walk, stole second, and advanced to third on a throwing error by the Texas State catcher. On a two-strike pitch, second baseman Mitchell Daly singled to center to score Antico and scored himself on the following pitch when first baseman Zach Zubia doubled into the left-center gap.
Zubia drove in his second run of the game in the seventh following walks to Daly and shortstop Trey Faltine when he singled through the left side of the infield on a two-strike pitch to drive home Faltine. Daly then scored on a sacrifice fly by catcher Silas Ardoin.
The Longhorns added another insurance run in the ninth inning when Ardoin singled through the left side to score Daly, who had singled to center field, advanced to second on a single by Zubia, and then moved to third on a groundout by designated hitter Ivan Melendez.
Zubia went 3-for-4 with two RBI and a walk while Daly and Melendez each had two hits of their own.
Texas played without third baseman Cam Williams on Tuesday after Williams left Sunday’s game against Abilene Christian after he sprained his right ankle when he stepped on a baserunner’s foot at third base trying to record an out. Murphy Stehly started in his place and went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and several nice plays defensively.
The competition level increases this weekend as Texas travels to Stillwater to face No. 24 Oklahoma State. First pitch on Friday is at 7 p.m. Central on ESPNU.