No. 22 Texas Takes Weekend Series Over West Virginia

A complete recap of Texas' weekend series against West Virginia.

Following their series against Oklahoma State, things looked bleak for this Texas team. Now, one week later after a series win over West Virginia, the Longhorns once again find themselves right back in the hunt to be a regional host once the NCAA tournament starts. 

Game 1: Texas 5 West Virginia 2

After Friday's game was postponed due to the weather, game one was moved to Saturday as the first day of a doubleheader. That didn't stop typical Friday starter Pete Hansen from delivering his usual dominant performance, however, as Hansen twirled 8 2/3 innings of two-run baseball, striking out eight and allowing six hits before Tristan Stevens came in to record the final out of the bullpen and pick up the save.

Offensively for Texas, another standout performance from Golden Spikes Candidate Ivan Melendez led the way. Melendez would launch a moonshot of a solo home run down the left-field line and out of the stadium to give Texas a 2-0 lead in the sixth inning. He would also contribute another RBI on a sac fly in the seventh, making it a 4-0 Texas game. Elsewhere in the Texas lineup, Murphy Stehly, Austin Todd and Dylan Campbell would drive in the other three Texas runs, helping Texas pick up the 5-2 win in game one. 

Pete Hansen 

Pete Hansen

Ivan Melendez

Game 2: Texas 11 West Virginia 0 (7 inn.)

Rather than turn to their usual Saturday starter Tristan Stevens for the second game of the doubleheader, the Longhorns threw Sunday starter, Lucas Gordon. In return Gordon would pitch the best start of his career to date, tossing a complete-game shutout. Gordon would face one more than the minimum in his seven shutout innings, only allowing two hits and racking up five strikeouts in his fifth win of the season. 

The Longhorn offense rewarded Gordon's dominance on the mound, giving him plenty of run support to pitch stress-free innings. Once again leading the charge was phenom Ivan Melendez, as he would blast two home runs, giving him an NCAA best 25 on the season, and drive in four runs. Melendez would not be the only Longhorn to flex their power though, as Doug Hodo, Trey Faltine and Austin Todd would also contribute to the 11-0 rout, helping Texas clinch the series victory in run-rule fashion. 

Lucas Gordon

Lucas Gordon

Ivan Melendez

Game 3: Texas 6 West Virginia 8

Game three looked to start strong for the Longhorns as they jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first off RBI from Melendez, Stehly and Campbell. However, that lead would be short-lived as Texas starter Zane Morehouse would give up three runs in the bottom of the second, allowing West Virginia to make it a 3-3 ballgame. 

Texas would retake the lead in the fourth on a Hodo two-run single, giving Texas a 5-3 lead. Again, though, that lead would not last as Texas' bullpen woes would rear their ugly head once again in this game. The Texas pitching staff would give up five unanswered runs to West Virginia, as they would head to the ninth trailing 8-5. The Longhorns did scratch across one final run on a Dylan Campbell RBI fielder's choice in the top of the ninth, but they would ultimately drop the series finale and not complete the sweep. 

What's next for Texas?

The Longhorns have five regular-season games left with all five to be played at home. They welcome Texas Southern to Austin on Tuesday before having the weekend off as they prepare for their final four games the week after. Texas will look to end the season strong as postseason play inches closer. 

---

You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Longhorns? Sign up for the daily LonghornsCountry.com Newsletter Today!

Want to join in on the discussion? Click here to become a member of the Longhorns Country message board community today!

Follow Longhorns Country on Twitter and Facebook.