March 2, 2001

AUSTIN, Texas - University of Texas starter Gerrit Simpson tossed a four-hit complete game as the Longhorns beat UWM 8-1 Friday afternoon.

Texas (10-8) jumped on the Panthers for five runs in the second inning, and UWM (0-1) could never recover in its season opener.

Mike Oiler absorbed the loss for UWM, allowing five earned runs and seven hits in five innings. John Vandenberg, a transfer from Northern Illinois, drove in the only run for UWM in the fourth inning, plating Scott Gillitzer, who tripled.

"We played a really clean game, a really nice game, except for the second inning," assistant head coach Todd Frowirth said. "The bullpen did a good job."

The Panthers and Longhorns play game two of their three-game series Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. Rob Erickson is expected to start for UWM, while Albert Montes will start for Texas.