Texas vs Kentucky game score: Replay, highlights as Longhorns secures series win
Danny DavisThe Texas baseball team settled its series against Kentucky on Sunday.
Texas closed out a weekend in Kentucky with a 5-4 win. That victory at Kentucky Proud Park secured a series victory for Texas, which earned a 6-3 win on Friday. Kentucky outlasted the Longhorns on Saturday in a game that was decided by a 15th-inning error.
Texas (29-5, 13-2) has won all five of its conference series this season. The Longhorns entered Sunday in a first-place tie with Arkansas in the SEC standings, but that tie was broken by UT's win and Arkansas' 7-6 loss to Georgia.
The Longhorns beat Kentucky (19-14, 6-9) due to a solid showing at the plate from Will Gasparino (3-4, 2RBIs) and the pitching efforts of Ruger Riojas (6⅔ IP, 3 earned runs, 3Ks) and Grayson Saunier.
Texas will return to UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Tuesday for a home game against UT Rio Grande Valley.
Final: Texas 5, Kentucky 4
Kentucky made things interesting in the final inning as its first two runners reached base against Saunier. After the Wildcats scored on a sacrifice flyout, Texas coach Jim Schlossnagle stuck with Saunier despite having two pitchers warming up in the bullpen. Saunier then got a double-play grounder to end the game.
An Ole Miss transfer, Saunier became the fourth Longhorn to earn a save this season. He allowed one hit, one walk and one run over 2⅓ innings.
Saunier also pitched a perfect inning against Houston Christian this past Tuesday. Before this week, Saunier had only made three appearances at Texas and he hadn't pitched since March 4.
Mid 9: Texas 5, Kentucky 3
The Longhorns were retired in order in the top of the ninth inning. One day after Kentucky kept alive with a ninth-inning homer that tied a game it eventually won in the 15th inning, Texas will ask reliever Grayson Saunier to close out this series.
Mid 8: Texas 5, Kentucky 3
Texas added some insurance in the eighth inning in the form of Kimble Schuessler's RBI double. Schuessler is the fourth Longhorn to drive in a run this afternoon.
Schuessler's hit scored Will Gasparino, who had led off the inning with a double. Coming off a game in which he went 0-for-6 with four strikeouts, Gasparino has gone 3-for-4 today. He has scored twice, drove in two runs and accounted for two of UT's four doubles.
End 7: Texas 4, Kentucky 3
With two outs in the seventh inning, Kentucky finally broke through against Texas starting pitcher Ruger Riojas. Kentucky cleanup hitter Devin Burkes knocked the 114th pitch thrown by Riojas into right field for a two-run double. Before that at-bat, Kentucky had been 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
With Burkes on second base, Grayson Saunier relieved Riojas. Saunier hit the first batter that he faced but then got a groundout to end the inning.
End 6: Texas 4, Kentucky 1
After six Texas pitchers combined to throw 221 pitches over 15 innings yesterday, the Longhorns couldn't really afford to have their starter knocked out early today. And through six innings, Ruger Riojas has allowed just one run. While throwing a season-high 95 pitches, Riojas has struck out three Wildcats while issuing two walks and hitting one batter.
Riojas is the first SEC starting pitcher to record an out in the sixth inning against Kentucky this season.
Mid 6: Texas 4, Kentucky 1
After opening the sixth inning with back-to-back singles, Texas added to its lead with Tommy Farmer IV's sacrifice flyout. Kentucky centerfielder Shaun Montoya made a nice diving catch on the play, but Will Gasparino had enough time to tag and score from third base.
End 5: Texas 3, Kentucky 1
Kentucky has failed throughout this afternoon to get a clutch hit against Ruger Riojas and the fifth inning was no different. Kentucky loaded the bases with two outs, but cleanup hitter Devin Burkes popped the first pitch of his at-bat up to Riojas to end the threat.
Kentucky has stranded a runner at third base in three of today's five innings.
Mid 5: Texas 3, Kentucky 1
Texas has remained aggressive on the basepaths throughout this season. On Saturday, that aggressive approach aided the Longhorns when Ethan Mendoza scored the game-tying run on a wild pitch that dribbled away from Kentucky catcher Devin Burkes. One day later, however, that aggressiveness cut short a scoring opportunity.
With one out and runners on second and third base, UT shortstop Jalin Flores fouled out to Burkes. With Burkes having vacated his area behind home plate to track down the foul ball, Mendoza tried to score from third base. But Kentucky pitcher Ben Cleaver got to the plate in time to catch a throw from Burkes and tag Mendoza for the inning-ending out.
End 4: Texas 3, Kentucky 1
The Wildcats are on the scoreboard at Kentucky Proud Park. With two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning, Kentucky designated hitter Kyuss Gargett homered to left field. That was the first homer of Gargett's season.
Texas starting pitcher Ruger Riojas has now allowed five home runs this season. That is tied with Jared Spencer for the most among all Texas pitchers.
End 3: Texas 3, Kentucky 0
For the second time today, Kentucky has stranded a runner at third base. This time around, UT pitcher Ruger Riojas kept the game scoreless by getting an inning-ending groundout.
Mid 3: Texas 3, Kentucky 0
Backed by some timely two-out hits, Texas has struck first in Lexington. With two outs in the top of the third inning, Texas shortstop Jalin Flores drove in the game's first run with an RBI single. Will Gasparino then contributed a two-run double.
Over the first two games of this series, Flores has gone 2-for-11 at the plate. Gasparino was also 2-for-11 and he was held hitless during Saturday's 15-inning marathon.
End 2: Texas 0, Kentucky 0
After dealing with some adversity in the first inning, Ruger Riojas needed just 11 pitches to retire the three Kentucky batters he faced in the second inning. The Texas offense is still looking for its first hit although the Longhorns have drawn a walk in both innings today.
End 1: Texas 0, Kentucky 0
Kentucky got a runner to third base in the opening inning, but a Ruger Riojas strikeout of Kentucky cleanup hitter Devin Burkes ended the threat. Texas also got a runner aboard in the opening frame, but Ethan Mendoza's leadoff walk was later negated by a double play.
Texas vs. Kentucky starting lineups
Texas starting lineup
- 2B Ethan Mendoza
- C Rylan Galvan
- SS Jalin Flores
- CF Will Gasparino
- 1B Kimble Schuessler
- RF Tommy Farmer IV
- 3B Casey Borba
- DH Jaquae Stewart
- LF Jayden Duplantier
Kentucky starting lineup
- 2B Luke Lawrence
- SS Tyler Bell
- 3B Patrick Herrera
- C Devin Burkes
- 1B Hudson Brown
- DH Kyuss Gargett
- CF Shaun Montoya
- LF Cole Hage
- RF Ethan Hindle
Texas starting pitcher
RHP Ruger Riojas (6-1, 3.23 ERA)
Kentucky starting pitcher
LHP Ben Cleaver (3-1, 2.36 ERA)
What time does Texas baseball play Kentucky?
- Time: 11 a.m. CT
- Date: April 13
- Location: Kentucky Proud Park (Lexington, Ky.)
How to watch Texas baseball vs Kentucky
- TV: SEC Network
- Radio: The Longhorn Radio Network
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