Nathan Thornhill struck out seven in seven innings, allowing six hits and one run.
HOUSTON -- Brooks Marlow hit a leadoff homer, Nathan Thornhill pitched seven strong innings and Texas beat old rival Texas A&M 8-1 on Friday in the opening game of the NCAA tournament's Houston Regional.
Collin Shaw and C.J. Hinojosa each had two hits and two RBI for the second-seeded Longhorns (39-18) before a record crowd of 6,603 at Reckling Park. They will face the Rice-George Mason winner on Saturday.
Thornhill (7-2) allowed six hits and struck out seven. Marlow connected for his third home run of the season, and Tres Barrera and Madison Carter had two hits apiece for Texas.
The Longhorns scored seven runs in the first three innings. Hinojosa had an RBI single in the second and an RBI double in a four-run third.
Daniel Mengden (4-9) was tagged for seven runs and seven hits in 2 2-3 innings. No. 3 seed Texas A&M (33-25) will play the Rice-George Mason loser in an elimination game Saturday.
Jace Statum had an RBI single in the second for the Aggies.
