No. 7 Longhorns sweep doubleheader at Missouri, move to 8-1 in SEC play
AUSTIN (KXAN) — To avoid potential bad weather Sunday, Texas and Missouri shifted their 3-game Southeastern Conference baseball series to finish with a doubleheader Saturday. The Longhorns claimed both games to sweep the series over the Tigers 7-4 and 7-1.
Will Gasparino clubbed two solo home runs in the first game, going deep in the third and eighth innings. Jalin Flores hit a 2-run homer in the third, and combined with Gasparino's smash, helped give Texas a 5-4 lead after three innings.
Missouri scored all of their runs in the opener in the second inning, and none were earned. A 2-out error by Kimble Schuessler at first base brought a run home and then Chris Patterson blasted a 3-run homer for the Tigers off of Luke Harrison.
Max Grubbs earned the pitching win out of the bullpen with five strikeouts in three innings. Dylan Volantis picked up his sixth save with four strikeouts in two innings.
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In the second game, starting pitcher Rugar Riojas was terrific. He pitched seven innings, allowing no runs on two hits with 10 strikeouts and no walks. He threw 90 pitches, 63 for strikes, and faced 22 batters.
Casey Borba and Schuessler hit home runs for the Longhorns in the nightcap. Borba smacked a solo shot in the second inning, and Schuessler's was a 2-run dinger in the fourth.
Texas won the series opener 15-4 in seven innings Friday. Gasparino hit two homers and drove in eight runs. Flores, Scheussler and Max Belyeu hit home runs for the Longhorns.
The Longhorns (23-3, 8-1 SEC) have won six consecutive games and will take on Texas State at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
