Associated Press
OMAHA, Neb. -- Southern Mississippi reliever Jonathan Johnston walked Brandon Loy on four pitches with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth to give Texas a 7-6 win in the College World Series on Sunday night.
The Longhorns' final three runs scored on bases-loaded walks. Of Texas' last 11 batters, six walked and one was hit by a pitch.
The Golden Eagles' dismal pitching performance in their Omaha debut spoiled an otherwise gutty performance against the No. 1-seeded Longhorns.
Texas (47-14-1), in the CWS for a record 33rd time, moves on to a Tuesday game against Arizona State. Southern Miss (40-25) will try to stay alive against North Carolina in a Bracket 2 elimination game the same day.
The Eagles used a an infield single, a wild pitch, a bases-loaded walk and the first catcher's interference call at the CWS since 1981 to take a 5-4 lead in the eighth.
Texas loaded the bases with one out in the bottom half against Scott Copeland and Collin Cargill, with Cargill walking Brandon Loy to bring in the tying run. Josh Fields came on to strike out Cameron Rupp, but then walked pinch hitter Kevin Lusson to make it 6-5.
Southern Miss tied it the top of the ninth on James Ewing's single off Taylor Jungmann (9-3).
*
Arizona St. 5, N. Carolina 2, 10 innings: OMAHA, Neb. -- Kole Calhoun hit a three-run homer in the top of the 10th inning after a North Carolina error helped Arizona State take the lead, and the Sun Devils won their College World Series opener.
Jason Kipnes reached when right fielder Garrett Gore misplayed his one-out fly ball near the warning track. Carlos Ramirez followed with a base hit up the middle, scoring Drew Maggi from second to break a 1-1 tie.
Calhoun then drilled Moran's 1-1 pitch four rows into the stands in left-center field for a four-run lead.
Notice about comments:
TheEagle.com is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. TheEagle.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not theeagle.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
Full terms and conditions can be read here.
(Requires free registration.)
Posted by: Hooker On: 6/15/2009
Comment Title: Cool Game
That game was so fun. Better than MLB. Come to think of it Texas been scrappin' but they manage to grind it and take it home. Their comfort level is in the right place. They are below .300 when it comes to hitting. But again like their alcoholic coach told 'em "it's the runs not the hits". But kudos for making big12 a solid conference. Congrats to the Ags for the 3 national titles this year. THAT WAS COOL!
Posted by: Sabrina On: 6/15/2009
Comment Title: Great Baseball
I watched the game and it was one that could have turned out so differently......winning on a walk is just as good as any....a win is a win and they are the only team representing the Big 12 so GO TEXAS!!!!!!!!!!