June 11, 2011
Kramer Champlin |
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AUSTIN, Texas - Texas evened up the Austin Super Regional at a win apiece after their 5-1 victory over Arizona State on Saturday night at UFCU Disch-Falk Field. The win by the Longhorns sets up a winner-take-all Game Three on Sunday night with a spot in the College World Series at stake. The loss dropped ASU to 43-17 on the year.
UT starter Cole Green held the Sun Devil offense at bay, allowing one run on six hits in 5.1 innings. He picked up the win, improving to 8-3. Four Texas relievers combined to keep the Sun Devils off the scoreboard over the final 3.2 innings, including closer Corey Knebel, who picked up his 18th save of the season. ASU's starter, Kramer Champlin, went 6.1 innings, allowing two runs, one earned, on five hits. He also walked five, taking the loss to fall to 9-4.
Texas jumped ahead in the third, scoring a run without the benefit of a hit. After a leadoff walk and a sac bunt put a man on second, the next batter hit a ground ball to third and although Deven Marrero's throw was high, it appeared that first baseman Zach Wilson applied the tag before the runner touched the bag. The umpire disagreed however, giving the Longhorns runners at first and second with only one out. A walk followed that to load the bases, then a sacrifice fly by Mark Payton plated the run.
UT added to their lead in the sixth, scoring a run to make it 2-0. After Champlin walked the leadoff hitter for the third time in the game, the Horns sacrificed the runner to second. Erich Weiss then doubled to left center to score Mark Payton and push the Texas lead to two runs.
Arizona State was able to cut into that lead in the bottom of the sixth, chasing Green in the process. After back-to-back singles to start the inning put runners on the corners, Texas went to their bullpen. Hoby Milner came in to face Joey DeMichele, who lifted a sac fly to center that scored Marrero from third and made it 2-1 Texas.
The Devils threatened in the seventh inning with a runner on second and one out, but came up empty. After Andy Workman pinch hit and was struck out by relief pitcher Kendal Carrillo then after another pitching change Johnny Ruettiger sent a slow roller to second base. He beat the throw at first, but pinch runner Michael Benjamin was thrown out at home trying to score from second to end the inning and keep Texas ahead by one.
Jordan Etier put the finishing touches on his 3-3 night in the top of the ninth, blasting a three-run homer off Trevor Williams to put Texas up 5-1. ASU went 1-2-3 in the ninth.
The decisive Game Three is set for Sunday at 4 p.m. Arizona time with ESPN2 providing TV coverage. The Sun Devils will be the visiting team for Game Three as Texas won a coin flip to determine the home team earlier in the week.