Longhorns have grand home opener, top San Diego 7-3 in front of record crowd
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas shortstop Jaylin Flores blasted a grand slam into a stiff wind Friday to help push the Longhorns past San Diego 7-3 in the season opener at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
Flores' big swing came in the sixth inning and punctuated a 5-run frame that turned a 3-1 Toreros lead into a 6-3 Texas advantage. Flores pummeled a 1-2 pitch that had to cut through wins from an oncoming cold front, and it landed in the brand-new Yeti Yard seating area beyond left field, which led to various beverages being tossed in the air as a celebration.
San Diego outhit the Longhorns 12-9, but the Texas pitching staff did a good job limiting damage and stranded 10 runners. Lebarron Johnson Jr. went five innings on the mound for Texas, allowing two earned runs on five hits with six strikeouts and two walks in 20 batters faced. Johnson threw 76 pitches, 49 for strikes, before coming out after the fifth.
The top three hitters in the Texas lineup — Jared Thomas, Peyton Powell and Flores — accounted for six hits, each with two. Powell hit an RBI triple in the eighth that scored catcher Kimble Schussler.
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Longhorns reliever David Shaw got into a little bit of trouble in the ninth inning but struck out the final two batters to leave runners on the corners.
Nik Sanders slapped an RBI single in the fourth inning to get the Longhorns on the board.
The win is the seventh consecutive victory in a home opener for the Longhorns. At 7,935 in attendance, it was the largest opening day in program history.
The teams continue their 3-game series at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Charlie Hurley is expected to start on the mound for the Longhorns.