Taking Friday and Saturday’s games, No. 12 Texas Baseball had already claimed a series victory against Santa Clara. With one game remaining Texas aimed to complete its series sweep.
Extending its win streak to 13 games, the Longhorns capped off their series sweep beating the Broncos 6–1 Sunday afternoon at UFCU Disch-Falk Field in Austin, Texas.
“Thought (freshman pitcher Dylan) Volantis did a nice job in the starting role, threw a lot of strikes,” head coach Jim Schlossnagle said. “We played really good defense, (junior infielder) Jalin (Flores) had a great weekend.”
After starting off the year as a reliever, Volantis made his first start on the mound for Texas. Letting up two singles in the first, Volantis brushed his jitters in the second stumping Santa Clara’s hitter in the box for three consecutive strikeouts
Volantis received support and advice from starting pitchers senior Jared Spencer and redshirt junior Luke Harrison.
“I always pick their brain and see what they have to say about things,” Volantis said. “Going in, (Spencer and Harrison) always say ‘Just stay positive,’ ‘You’re gonna do great. Fill up the zone. That’s all you need.’”
Facing 19 batters, Volantis struck out three; picking up his second win of the year, his first as Texas’ starter on the mound. Throwing 42 strikes on 66 pitches, he ended his 5.1 inning day allowing four hits, one run and an error.
“Mentally, he’s so steady and reliable,” Schlossnagle said. “He doesn’t get over excited, but at the same time, he’s ready to roll every day.”
Opening up scoring in the first, Santa Clara’s pitcher attempted to get junior outfielder Max Belyeu out at first. Overthrowing the first baseman, the Broncos committed a major fielding error allowing sophomore infielder Ethan Mendoza to score the game’s first run.
Striking out Mendoza and Belyeu swinging in the third, Santa Clara sophomore pitcher Max Bayles started to build consistency on the mound, but that quickly came to an end on the next at bat.
Coming up for his second at bat of the game, Flores brought Santa Clara pitcher back down to earth. On the 1–1 count, Flores got the pitch he was looking for, slamming a 390 feet home run towards centerfield.
Texas loaded up the bases twice late in the game, capitalizing on both opportunities. Replicating his successful Saturday, sophomore outfielder Tommy Farmer IV’s single brought in two RBIs in the sixth.
Two innings later in the eighth, Mendoza’s base hit single brought in the game sealing two RBI for the Longhorns final score of the game.
With the win, Texas jumped out to the 13–1 start to the season, for their best start to a season since their 2005 College World Series Championship season.
“At the end of the day, it’s just another game,” Flores said. “The opponent has no name, we’re just playing the game out there.”
Texas will face UT Arlington at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at UFCU Disch-Falk Field in Austin, Texas.
