“The rain played an important part in this,’’ Texas coach Augie Garrido said in his post-game press conference. “It took the temperature way down and it took away a lot of the humidity. That helped Taylor [Jungmann] in many ways.”
Freshman Taylor Jungmann got the start for Texas and pitched a complete game, throwing 126 pitches with nine strikeouts. Jungmann had never pitched a complete game before.
When asked about it, he said, “Saving it for the end man.” Jungmann got his third win in Omaha, tying a CWS record for most wins.
“He was brilliant,” coach Garrido said. “His teammates got him an early lead. The best thing for a pitcher’s curveball is a four-run lead.”
Errors, Home Runs
LSU had not made an error during the entire CWS, but opened up the top of the first inning with a throwing error by catcher Micah Gibbs. This allowed Michael Torres to score giving the Longhorns a 1–0 lead.
The top of the second saw the Texas bats come alive again with Preston Clark sending a solo shot over the fences in left. It was only Clark’s third home run of the year.
LSU answered in the bottom of the 2nd when Jared Mitchell singled into left, giving LSU their first hit of the game. Mitchell then scored on an error by Longhorns short stop Brandon Loy, bringing the Tigers within 1.
LSU Coach Paul Mainieri brought in pitcher Ryan Bird in the third inning. But Bird could not silence the Texas bats, giving up a home run to Russell Moldenhauer, the second batter he faced.
Moldenhauer had not hit a home run during the entire season until he came to Omaha, where he belted four, tying a CWS record. Texas added another run, extending their lead to 5–1.
LSU got some momentum in the sixth when second baseman Travis Tucker committed a throwing error allowing Blake Dean to advance to second. Dean tried to tag on a pop fly to center but left the bag too early and was called out.
“It was obvious to me he left early,” LSU coach Mainieri said. “That was a mental mistake. Listen, Blake is the smartest baseball player I know and those things happen once in a blue moon. He felt worse about it than anybody.”
LSU stranded six men on base and could only watch as Jungmann finished the game just as strong as he had started.
One Game for the Championship
The Championship will be decided Wednesday evening at Rosenblatt Stadium. Cole Green will get the start for Texas and Anthony Ranaudo will get the start for LSU.
LSU will be going for its sixth national title and Texas will be going for its seventh.
LSU coach Paul Mainieri put things into perspective, “Who could ask for a better script? One last game for the national championship.
“One team is the No. 1 seed, the other is No. 1 in most of the polls—two historical teams. It’ll be pretty hard to sleep tonight.”
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