 "Photo: Paul Wentzell")
Centerfielder Nick Peoples watched as Missouri chopped down his Longhorn teammates - literally.
First it was Jordan Danks, who bruised his shoulder running into the left-field wall twice during Saturday's game.
He left the game and didn't return until the ninth inning of Sunday's series finale as a pinch runner.
Then it was Kyle Russell, who dove for a ball and missed in the sixth inning Sunday, landing on his right wrist. He eventually made his way back to the Texas dugout after lying on the warning track for a few long moments.
Both Danks and Russell walked away from their injuries. Texas didn't.
The No. 5 Longhorns (38-14, 18-6 Big 12) dropped their first conference series of the season, two games to one, to Missouri (33-13, 14-7). Texas failed to clinch the Big 12 regular-season title after losing Sunday's rubber game 5-4 at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
"It hurts," Peoples said. "It's a gross feeling. I just hope everyone has that taste in their mouth."
Both of Peoples' fellow outfielders should be back for the series against Texas A&M, starting May 18, according to Texas coach Augie Garrido.
That's the final chance for Texas to wrap up the Big 12 regular-season title, something Garrido is certain the Longhorns will accomplish.
To do so, Texas must bounce back from a game where Missouri just wouldn't let anything take away their momentum.
"The game was played at a very high level of competitiveness," Garrido said. "We threatened them this entire game. They didn't win, because we rolled over."
After the second of Texas' 6-foot-5-inch players was forced to the dugout, the Tigers scored three runs and took firm control of Sunday's game.
The Longhorns seemed to respond immediately, though. Texas got a leadoff single from Travis Tucker and a double from Kyle Lusson, who'd replaced Danks in right field.
But the Longhorns didn't come away with any runs after having runners on second and third with no outs, highlighting Missouri's ability to maintain the game's momentum.
Texas did scrap its way to within one run in the seventh and eighth innings with a solo shot from Preston Clark and an RBI single from Chance Wheeless. Bradley Suttle nearly hit a heroic three-run homer after Wheeless' hit, but it was a few feet short and was caught at the warning track.
That's how close the series was between the Big 12's top two teams.
"Every game was like that," Missouri coach Tim Jamieson said. "One at-bat here or there made the difference."
Though Kyle Russell hit his 25th and 26th home runs during Friday's 3-2 Missouri win, it was eventually decided by a throwing error from Texas catcher Preston Clark as he tried to return the ball to pitcher Randy Boone.
"These games help you in the end," Garrido said. "They're blessings in disguise."
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