40 Acres Sports

Texas had a tough time of things last night as they lost the series opener to [tag]Missouri[/tag]. Missouri has proven to be a thorn in the Longhorns’ side for the last three years. Coming into the series, Mizzou had taken 6 of the last 9 games. The Tigers had also worked their way into 2nd place in the Big 12 as they came to town. So, the Horns couldn’t really afford to take things for granted.

Things started out nicely last night as Texas took the lead 4-2, helped along by two home runs by [tag]Kyle Russell[/tag]. But, the Tigers took the lead in the 6th when they put 4 on the board as the Texas bullpen showed a crack or two. The Horns rallied, though, and tied things up in the 9th. Sadly, they gave up an unearned run in the top of the 11th as Preston Clark made a very rare error on a toss back to [tag]Randy Boone[/tag] that sailed over Boone’s glove. The Missouri runner at third base made a great decision and broke for home, scoring the go-ahead run. In the bottom of the inning, with two out, Texas rallied but the tying run was thrown out at the plate. Tommy Harmon made the decision to send the runner home and said afterward that he didn’t want to end the game with the tying run stranded at third base. He was hoping Missouri would make a mistake on the play. But, Missouri didn’t make a mistake. They won the game 7-6.

The Horns bounced back today, though. In fine fashion. They got a great game out of [tag]Adrian Alaniz[/tag] who went 8.1 innings. He gave up one run on three hits while walking 2 and striking out 4. And, the bullpen did not let him down. [tag]Joseph Krebs[/tag] went in and struck out the final two batters of the game. The Horns scored 2 runs in the 4th and 3 in the 6th to cruise to victory. [tag]Preston Clark[/tag] went 3-for-4 at the plate with a double and two runs scored. [tag]Chais Fuller[/tag] went 3-for-4 with a run scored and 3 runs batted in. Kyle Russell failed to hit any home runs today (“only” going 1-for-4) but that 1 hit pushed the final two runs across for the Horns.

So, the series is even. Here’s hoping the Horns finish it off tomorrow. Austin Wood is expected to get the start. He’s done well lately and seems to be improving. This should be fun.

For more details, you can check out the game reports I posted to my page. See yesterday’s game report or today’s game report.

Hello! My name’s Joanna Castillo and I’m happy to be joining Bevo Sports as, basically, a UT Baseball correspondent. I may post on other things from time to time but baseball will be my beat. I went to UT and graduated ’round about the time that Brian and Matt were in Kindergarden. I think. So, yes…that means I’ll be the old lady of the gang. I’ve been running a baseball page dedicated to Longhorn baseball since 1995: Joanna’s Longhorn Baseball Page. I’ll still post my long rambling stuff there. I’ll try to post short reports here, though, ’cause I know the vast majority of the folks who come here probably don’t have quite the same keen interest in the sport that I have.

Why baseball? I’m not sure. I used to listen to Dodger games on the radio with my grandmother in New Mexico when I was a wee tyke. I’ve always liked baseball as a result. So, blame her. A friend offered me his tickets for a Regional tournament here in Austin in 1988 or 1989 and I had a blast. I’d been to…oh, I dunno…10 or 15 UT baseball games before that. And, I’d watched happily on TV when they won the CWS in 1983. But, the experience of that Regional grabbed me and held on tight. I got season tickets the next year. And, I’ve kept them. I’m guessing I’ve seen roughly 90% of the games played at Disch-Falk field since then. That’s a lot of baseball. And, I love it. And, I hope I can share some of that love with you.

Report on the first two games of the Missouri series coming shortly.

Hook ’em!

Taylor Teagarden put on DL with elbow pain again. Was having a good season at the plate too. (via).

Longhorns receive no penalties from NCAA for latest APR figures. Football team is above average.

As a freshman [tag]Kevin Durant[/tag] had the best season ever for a Longhorn basketball player. [tag]Colt McCoy[/tag] broke Texas passing records despite missing a game due to injury and only being a redshirt freshman. Sophomore baseball star [tag]Kyle Russell[/tag] has set baseball power records with plenty of games left to play in the season; It’s a great time to be a Texas fan and we’re lucky to get a chance to see all three of these guys play for the Horns in a single year.

Vote below on which one of the three amazing Texas athletes has had (is having) the best season:

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Texas right fielder [tag]Kyle Russell[/tag] continued his incredible record setting season for the Horns by hitting for the cycle against UT-Pan American. And he did it in only seven innings as the game was called early to allow UT-Pan Am to get out of town before El Niño hit.

Russell started off the game with a two-run homer in the first. He then picked up the toughest component of the cycle by hitting a triple in the bottom of the fifth. He added a double in the sixth and completed the feat by singling in a run in the seventh. Russell commented on his cycle, “It’s the first cycle I’ve ever hit, to do it at home in front of the burnt orange nation is really special.” He also finished the game with a five RBIs.

If Russell can stay hot and runners can get on base in front of him, the Longhorns should be in great shape to make a run out another national title. Kevin Durant may be the best basketball player to ever play at Texas, but right now Kyle Russell is putting on an even more impressive performance. He’s well on his way to earning player of the year honors of his own.

Rice snaps 10-game losing streak against Texas with 7-4 win on Tuesday. Kyle Russell sets Texas home run record.

Texas baseball wins 4-2 to complete sweep of Texas Tech. Good six inning outing from Joseph Krebs.

Kyle Russell is one homer away from Texas season record, with 20 regular season games to go.

Coach Bibb Falk to be inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame. Longhorns now now have 3 of the first 21 inductees.