AUSTIN, Texas — Ethan Mendoza homered for the third time in five games and Ruger Riojas matched a career-high 10 strikeouts to lead No. 3 Texas to an 8-1 win over Michigan State in front of a capacity crowd at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday night.
Mendoza finished 3-for-4 with two extra-base hits and two RBI, as the Longhorns (5-0) scored a pair of runs against the Spartans (2-2) in four of the first six frames.
The junior delivered a sacrifice fly in the second before notching hits in his final three at-bats, highlighted by his opposite-field solo shot in the fourth.
Casey Borba and Anthony Pack Jr. also left yard in the win. Borba smacked his first blast of the season — a two-run jack — in the fifth, while Pack Jr. punctuated the derby with his first career homer in the seventh. The freshman reached safely in three of his four plate appearances, extending his five-game hitting streak.
Texas’ offensive onslaught provided its Friday night starter with more than enough cushion.
Riojas (2-0) scattered three hits across six innings of one-run baseball, retiring eight of the final nine batters he faced. The right-hander totaled a co-career-best 10 punchouts, recording five of his last six outs via strikeout. He fired 61 of his 83 pitches for strikes.
Overall, the Longhorns’ pitching staff mounted 14 strikeouts, while issuing only one free pass. Rookies Michael Winter, Brett Crossland and Brody Walls each pitched a scoreless frame behind Riojas.
Michigan State starter Aiden Donovan (0-1) picked up the loss. The righty surrendered four runs on five hits across four innings.
Texas will look to secure the series over the Spartans on Saturday. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.