AUSTIN, Texas – Masen Hibbeler had a clutch two-run single in the sixth inning and No. 12 Texas Baseball used seven total pitchers to pick up a 4-3 series-clinching win over No. 11 Texas Tech Sunday at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
The Longhorns mixed and matched with their bullpen, and in the end freshman Kolby Kubicheck closed it out to record his first career save. Freshman Mason Bryant, who was on the mound when Texas took the lead, picked up his first career win.
Texas got into and out of trouble throughout the game, stranding 12 total Texas Tech runners on base.
The Red Raiders held the Longhorns hitless for the first five innings and held a 1-0 lead.
Texas finally broke up the no-hitter and grabbed its first lead of the game in the sixth inning. Austin Todd got the Longhorns’ first hit of the game, a single up the middle to start the inning. Eric Kennedy immediately followed with a perfect bunt single.
With two outs, Hibbeler delivered a clutch two-run single back up the middle to give the Longhorns the lead.
A third run came home when Texas applied some pressure to Texas Tech with a double steal by Hibbeler and Tate Shaw. The throw from the catcher got away, allowing Hibbeler to score to make it 3-1.
Texas added one more run in the eighth inning, which proved to be huge. Zach Zubia worked a one-out walk and Bryce Reagan pinch-ran for him. Reagan advanced to second on a wild pitch and later scored on an RBI single by Hibbeler.
After starting pitcher Coy Cobb battled through 2 1/3 innings, the Longhorns turned to a series of six relievers: Ty Madden, Matteo Bocchi, Tristan Stevens, Bryant, Matt Whelan and Kubicheck.
Texas hosts a pair of midweek games against nationally ranked Arkansas on Tuesday and Wednesday at UFCU Disch-Falk Field. Both games are scheduled for first pitch at 6:30 p.m.