ARLINGTON, Texas — For the second straight night, Texas mounted a crooked number in the middle innings to cruise to victory, as the Longhorns (2-1) downed Oklahoma State (1-2) by a score of 14-8 at Globe Life Field on Sunday evening.
Texas’ wins on the final two days of the Shriners Children’s College Showdown put the Longhorns atop the six-team field. Texas was one of four programs with a pair of victories on the weekend, but the Longhorns posted a tournament-best plus-15 run differential to earn the crown.
In the showdown’s finale, Texas tallied eight runs in the fifth inning, sending 13 batters to the plate.
After the Cowboys got two quick outs, the Longhorns capitalized on back-to-back errors.
With a runner on first, Texas second baseman Ethan Mendoza sent a fly ball to the opposite field that carried to just in front of the warning track in right.
Oklahoma State outfielder Nolan Schubart retreated and couldn’t secure the final out of the frame, setting the stage for the Longhorns.
Texas freshman Cole Chamberlain scored from first on Schubart’s costly defensive miscue, putting the Longhorns ahead, 5-4.
The next pitch, first baseman Kimble Schuessler reached safely on a throwing error, allowing Mendoza to scamper home.
After rookie standout Adrian Rodriguez doubled, left fielder Tommy Farmer IV drove in a pair and extended the Longhorns’ advantage to 8-4.
Reigning Big 12 Player of the Year Max Belyeu made Texas’ long-time conference rival pay for their mistakes, chasing home Farmer with an RBI double.
Center fielder Will Gasparino followed with a two-run blast into the Cowboys’ bullpen in left-center field to balloon the cushion to 11-4.
The Longhorns capped off the eight-run two-out rally by scoring on a wild pitch.
Texas totaled five hits in the frame, all coming after a couple of early strikeouts.
The Longhorns’ fifth-inning outburst wasn’t their only source of offense, as Texas launched three home runs in the win.
Rodriguez and Belyeu each smacked solo shots in the first, before Gasparino’s 418-foot homer four frames later.
On the mound, Oklahoma State right-hander Noah Wech (0-1) surrendered seven unearned runs in the losing effort.
Meanwhile, righty Drew Rerick (1-0) logged the victory in his collegiate debut.
The two sides combined to use 16 pitchers in the four-hour and 28-minute affair.
Across the three-game swing, Belyeu finished with eight hits in 14 at-bats, highlighted by two home runs and five RBI.
Up next, Texas opens its home slate against Houston on Tuesday. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
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