Big night for UT's Morgan Cooper

It was big night Tuesday, March 9 for University of Texas pitcher Morgan Cooper. He had six innings of shutout ball but that’s not the only thing he did at Disch-Falk Field.

The sophomore out of Jarrell struck out a career high eight in UT's win over Sam Houston State. It was meaningful considering Cooper missed all of last season after Tommy John surgery.

Cooper’s night became really special after the game when he embraced five-year-old Kooper Hernandez in the stands.

Hernandez, also from Jarrell, has osteosarcoma bone cancer which led to the recent amputation of his left leg.

Cooper has helped Hernandez throughout his battle and invited Hernandez to his first Longhorn game.

Cooper says, "Being from Jarrell, it's a small town, everybody kinda knows everybody. (And) for some reason he just likes me, I don't know! I don't know what he's thinking!”

“But…his mom would always tell me after I leave that he keeps talking about me all the time, so I kept hanging out with him and stuff and we just kind of have a connection. Whatever I can to help him out - it's a tough situation but…he’s been awesome."