Beating the Texas Longhorns has become commonplace for the Washington Huskies. On Friday night, coach Jason Kelly’s team went into Austin and took the first of a three game set with the Longhorns 9-3.
First baseman Jeter Ybarra started the scoring in the third inning with an RBI double, the first of 5 hits for him in a 5 for 5 performance. He became the first Husky since 2019 with 5 hits in a game, adding 4 runs batted in and 2 runs scored to his bottom line.
After starter Jared Engman went just 3 2/3 innings, allowing 3 earned runs on 5 hits and 3 walks, right hander Grant Cunningham came in and stopped the bleeding. The sophomore from nearby Seattle Prep High School went the rest of the way on the mound, throwing 5 1/3 innings allowing just 2 hits and a walk with 2 strikeouts.
Texas starter Lebarron Johnson was excellent over 6 innings, allowing just 1 run on 5 hits but after the Longhorns turned to their bullpen, the Huskies found their offensive groove. Ybarra tied the game with a two-run single in the seventh inning before left fielder A.J. Guerrero put Washington ahead for good with an RBI double.
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The Huskies put up 6 runs in the seventh inning thanks to a two run single from center fielder Cooper Whitton and right fielder Carson Ohland and added two more in the ninth, one run coming on Ybarra’s fifth hit and third double of the night.
Washington improved to 5-7-1 with the victory, while the Longhorns fell to 10-7 on the season. The two teams will meet for their second matchup in the three-game set on Saturday at 12:30.
Was a 2-shirt kinda night at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.@jeter_ybarra x @grantzilla206 pic.twitter.com/ByVdMqY4sL
— Washington Baseball (@UW_Baseball) March 16, 2024