Carson Tinney hit two home runs Friday night at UFCU Disch-Falk Field, including a 456-foot grand slam off a 2-1 pitch that left his bat at 111 mph, to become the fifth player in Texas baseball history to reach 20 home runs in a single season.
The junior catcher, a transfer from Notre Dame, earned the milestone the hard way. His first home run of the night — a two-run shot in the third inning — came after fouling off seven pitches before driving a 3-2 offering into the right-field bullpen. The grand slam followed in the fourth, part of a stretch that saw Texas score 10 unanswered runs.
"Just trying to hit the barrel," Tinney said. "See what happens when I hit the barrel."
Tinney credited head coach David Schlossnagle for the opportunity. "I'm just super grateful to be here. It's a really, really big blessing in my life to be a part of this university."
Texas won 11-6 to clinch the series against Missouri and secure a double bye in next week's SEC Tournament. Redshirt senior left-hander Luke Harrison pitched six scoreless innings before tiring in the seventh. Junior third baseman Casey Borba hit his fifth home run in eight at-bats, and sophomore shortstop Adrian Rodriguez went 3-for-4.
The Longhorns go for the sweep Saturday at 2 p.m. on SEC Network+.