Texas once again writes dramatic ending

OMAHA, Neb. – The team of destiny did it again.

That team, of course, is Texas.

As Texas took the field against Arizona State Friday evening, the Longhorns knew they had a tough task even though the Sun Devils would have to beat them twice to reach the final series.

Texas coach Augie Garrido feared a loss Friday would give Arizona State the edge going into a deciding game Saturday.

Connor Rowe rounds the bases after hitting a game-winning home run.

(Associated Press)

The Longhorns weren’t great. Their play was flat out ugly at times. But as they’ve shown time and again in the postseason, the Longhorns have a flair for the dramatic.

Trailing the 3-2 with one out in the bottom of the ninth, Cameron Rupp rocketed a home run to tie the game. Two batters and another out later, Connor Rowe deposited the first pitch from Arizona State reliever Mitchell Lambson over the left field fence to win the game 4-3.

Texas did it again.

“Wow, I mean what a game. Two teams with strong wills and spirits,” Garrido said. “Those two homers were as dramatic as you can possibly get. We were trying to lay off pitches in the bottom of the strike zone and that changed the game. How do things like this happen? It just does.”

The Longhorns have done it enough to play for the national title against LSU starting Monday.

The Longhorns entered the postseason with high hopes. They were the top seed and drew a favorable regional. But it wasn’t easy. They had to go 25 grueling innings to beat feisty Boston College. A night later, the tired Longhorns were down four runs to Army in the bottom of the ninth. UT didn’t panic. It went to work and scored four runs to tie the game. Veteran Preston Clark then unloaded a walk-off grand slam to carry the Longhorns to super regional play.

The Austin Super Regional against TCU was far less dramatic. But TCU tested Texas by winning the second game of the best-of-three series. Texas responded by beating the Horned Frogs 5-2 in the series finale.

More drama awaited Texas in Omaha.

Against Southern Miss in the opener, the Longhorns played bad but still managed to win the game on a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the ninth. Then, in the first meeting with Arizona State, the Texas found a way to score six runs off All-American pitcher Mike Leake despite an early 6-0 hole.

Those were tense contests but Friday’s finish topped them all.

It might be a good omen for the Longhorns, who traveled a similar path in 2005.

That year, the Longhorns entered the bottom of the ninth inning of the bracket final against Baylor tied 3-3. First baseman Chance Wheeless, was the hero that night, belting a homer to give the Longhorns a 4-3 victory.

UT went on to win its sixth national title against Florida, an SEC opponent.

The team of destiny now aims for lucky No. 7. Just two wins.

“Whether we’re a team of destiny is still to be determined [in our eyes],” Texas pitcher Austin Wood said. “We’ve still got two games left, maybe three. We’ll find out Wednesday.”

After losing a host of talented players from last year’s team, Arizona State wasn’t expected to reach the College World Series.

With a roster built around inexperienced players, the Sun Devils still went the distance. They also set the stage for an even brighter future.

“I sure would’ve been fitting if this team had won, but they’re one for the record books,” coach Pat Murphy said. “We were one of the least experienced teams in college baseball and we brought it right down to the wire. I’m as proud of this team as I ever have been about a team in my coaching career.”

Remember the names Kole Calhoun, Josh Spence and Mike Leake.

Calhoun blossomed down the stretch. He also was fabulous at the plate in Omaha and a big reason the Sun Devils reached the bracket final.

Spence was an unknown Australian during fall workouts. Arizona State’s coaching staff raved about the left-handed pitcher’s ability but observers took a wait-and-see approach. The coaches were right. Spence began the season as a possible late-round selection in the MLB draft. After compiling amazing numbers the Los Angeles Angels selected him in the third round. Spence followed up that honor by showing his durability, throwing a combined 248 pitches in his two CWS starts.

Leake was the most unfortunate pitcher in Omaha, but his legacy is secure as he begins contract negotiations with the Cincinnati Reds. The right-hander earned All-American honors and entered the CWS with an amazing 16-1 record. In Omaha, he had a poor outing in the first game against Texas but – on just two days rest – allowed two runs in six innings. Leake finished the season with a 1.71 ERA.

“Any game like this is just memorable. I’ll always remember this team,” Leake said. “This is the best team I’ve ever played on.”

The Sun Devils will remember Leake, too.