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Tuesday - March 3, 2009

Game 10: Texas at Texas State

So...no, I did not make the trip to San Marcos. First, there's the work thing. Second, there's the Gordon Lightfoot concert tonight thing. So, not only did I not drive down, I wasn't able to listen to the whole game. I did hear the first few innings, though.

I was rather surprised to see that Texas was travelling to San Marcos. Then, I found out that the Bobcats were opening their brand-new stadium. And, that tonight's game against the Horns was scheduled to be the first game in the new digs. Needless to say, the Bobcats did not have a hard time selling out the event!

Texas started with the same line-up they've been using over the past few games...with Michael Torres in the dh spot. (They've been switching between Torres and Preston Clark in that spot.) Austin Dicharry started on the mound.

I have to admit that I was a bit nervous about today's game. Texas State always gives the Horns a run for their money. Today, they have the added incentive of playing their inaugural game in their new stadium. The Horns might actually feel a bit of added pressure with that 9-0 record, their first game away from home, and their first game on grass. We've got three freshmen on the field (Rowe, Loy, and Dicharry); this will be the first test for them away from the friendly confines of Disch-Falk. I do hope it works out well. But, I'm a bit nervous.

Anyway, on with the game report...

The home crowd was really into the game. I don't know if it was the placement of the crowd mics or if they really were that loud but they frequently threatened to drown out Keith Moreland and Craig Way on the radio. The crowd was so hopped up they started the game with a cheer after pretty much every pitch. I'm guessing it was a fun place to be! Texas went 3-up/3-down to start the game. Much to the delight of the crowd.

Austin Dicharry struggled with the first batter he faced: ball, ball, hit batter. Ouch. The crowd loved it, though. My immediate thought: settle down, Austin. The next batter flew out to cf. The third batter worked the count full and then walked, putting runners at 1b and 2b. The next reached on a 3-6 fielder's choice. On the play, David Hernandez, trying to turn the double play, threw the ball into the dirt back to Dicharry covering 1b. Dicharry could not make the catch and as the ball trickled away from him, the batter from 2b scored. E6. The runner at 1b advanced to 2b on a wild pitch but was stranded there when the final batter flew out to lf. Texas down 0-1 at the end of the 1st inning. That's the 2nd time this year that the Horns failed to score first.

I didn't hear what happened in the top of the 2nd but the Horns did not score. (GameTracker update: Michael Torres grounded out to 2b; Tant Shepherd flew out to cf; Kevin Keyes singled up the middle; Cameron Rupp walked; and David Hernandez struck out swinging.) I came back to my office to hear Craig say there was a runner on base for the Bobcats and that another run had already scored. Uh-oh. The Bobcats put another couple of hits together to score another and go ahead 3-0 with one out and runners at 1b and 2b. Keith and Craig commented that Dicharry had seemed more comfortable when he started the 2nd, getting a quick out, and then gave up a double and then three more singles. With Andrew McKirahan warming up in the bullpen, he managed to get the next batter to fly out to lf, and then struck out the next to end the inning. Texas down 0-3.

Connor Rowe and Travis Tucker started off the 3rd with fly outs to cf. And, Brandon Loy grounded out to ss. Dicharry remained on the mound and walked the first batter of the 3rd. The next grounded into a double play, though. Nice. Then, there was a single and then a fly out to rf. Texas still down 0-3.

Brandon Belt led off the 4th with a single (sorry, I didn't hear the details, but GameTracker said it was to rf). Torres singled through the right side, putting runners at 1b and 2b with nobody out. Shepherd failed to get a bunt down and then struck out swinging (2-2 count). Keyes followed suit and also struck out swinging, sadly. Rupp worked the count full and then walked to load the bases. Hernandez singled into cf, scoring 2 (Belt and Torres), and moving Rupp to 2b. Rowe singled to right-center, scoring Rupp and moving Hernandez to 3b. Game tied!

And...sadly, with that, I'm off to the Gordon Lightfoot concert. I'll be back late tonight with the final results. Go, Horns!

UPDATE. 'Back from the concert. 'Twas an entertaining night for me at the Bass Concert Hall. And, I'm very happy to report that the Horns pulled off a 6-5 win whilst I was away from the radio.

The Bobcats scored 2 in the bottom of the 6th to reclaim the lead (game tied 3-3 when I left). Texas then scored one in the 7th and two more in the 8th to get their 10th win in as many tries this season. I was happy to see that Keith Shinaberry finally made an appearance. He threw the middle 2.1 innings. He did allow the 2 unearned runs in the 6th. My mom reports that he was removed due to injury but they couldn't tell what was wrong. (She and my father went to the game and reported that, yes, the crowd really was very loud and boisterous. It was not just a "misplaced mic" thing.) Austin Wood pitched the final 3.1 innings to earn his 3rd win of the season.

I see that the Horns committed 4 errors on the day. Ouch. Uh-oh...it looks like all four errors were committed by David Hernandez. Double ouch. Was he pushing too hard after the first one? On a happier note, I see that he had two hits and batted 2 runs in. He also scored the winning run.

A few links:

Here's hoping the Horns stick to their winning ways this weekend at Stanford. Hook 'em!

Posted by Joanna at 7:25 PM