Texas Again Fights To Late-Night Win At College World Series

Image credit: (Photo courtesy of Texas Baseball)

OMAHA – For the second straight night, Texas on Friday took an early lead while facing elimination at the College World Series. For the second straight night, Texas’ opponent battled back to tie the game. For the second straight night, a rain delay forced the Longhorns to play deep into the night. And for the second straight night, one of the sluggers in the heart of the Texas lineup delivered a clutch late hit to send the Longhorns to victory.

There were subtle differences here and there between Texas’ win Thursday against Virginia to advance to the bracket final and its win Friday against Mississippi State to force a rematch Saturday with a spot in next week’s CWS finals on the line, but it was clear the wins used the same blueprint.

Texas got good starting pitching – on Friday it was ace Ty Madden’s turn, and he came through with a quality start. It never got down on itself when its opponent mounted a comeback – on Friday the Longhorns immediately answered the Bulldogs in both of the innings they scored. The Longhorns leaned on sluggers Zach Zubia and Ivan Melendez – Zubia homered in the first inning and drew two late walks to help set up Melendez, who drove in a run in the seventh and then slammed a go-ahead three-run home run in the ninth inning.

The series of clutch plays for the Longhorns on Friday led them to an 8-5 victory. The two teams will play again in a winner-take-all game Saturday night for a spot in the CWS finals.

“We keep talking about living for the next game and having an opportunity,” coach David Pierce said. “And, so, that’s what we have now.”

In the end Friday, it was the same kind of resilience Texas had displayed all season long – dating back to when it was swept on Opening Weekend in the State Farm Showdown in Arlington and then quickly rebounded to get its season back on track to make its magical Omaha nights possible.

Pierce credited the Longhorns coaching staff and bench for keeping the atmosphere in the dugout positive, which helps the team produce comebacks like Friday.

“I think our team feels that positive vibe and it’s been tremendous,” he said. “It’s been like that all year. So, I credit the guys on the field but also credit the guys in the dugout and the coaches as well.”

Madden again delivered a quality start, throwing six innings and holding Mississippi State to two runs while scattering four this and three walks. He struck out eight batters.

At this point of the season, there is always a possibility it is the final start in a Texas uniform for Madden, an All-American and projected first-round pick. He this spring is 7-5, 2.45 with 137 strikeouts and 44 walks in 113.2 innings and his steadiness at the front of the rotation has been crucial all season long for the Longhorns.

After Madden exited the game, Texas went to freshman righthander Tanner Witt, who has been one of its top relievers down the stretch. But Witt faltered in the eighth as he struggled with his control and Mississippi State tied the game, forcing Texas to go to righthander Aaron Nixon. The freshman got out of the jam, setting the stage for Melendez’s ninth-inning heroics.

Texas will have all hands-on deck for Saturday’s win-or-go-home game. Witt threw 41 pitches, while Nixon threw 34, sandwiched around the rain delay. Righthander Cole Quintanilla is the lone member of the Texas bullpen triumvirate who didn’t pitch Friday, meaning he’ll likely play a big role Saturday. The Longhorns have used just six pitchers in Omaha and will likely need a couple more to reach the finals.

With that in mind, Texas may not be able to go back to the same blueprint for a third straight day. The Longhorns may have to find a new way to win – but that’s something they’ve been able to do all season long.

As the Longhorns fight song implores, “Texas fight, Texas fight, and we’ll put over one more win.”