The Texas Longhorns are heading to the College World Series for a record 39th time. Texas got two late eighth inning runs to top the Oregon Ducks 6-5 in Game 2 of the Austin Super Regional. UT sweeps the series 2-0 and head to Omaha for the first time since 2022.
Once again, Adrian Rodriquez was the hitting star. His two-run double in the eighth off Ducks closer Devin Bell put Texas ahead for good. Longhorns closer Sam Cozart did the rest, working a perfect eighth and ninth to secure the win.
The Longhorns started the game on fire. The first two hitters of the game went back-to-back. Aiden Robbins and Carson Tinney both blasted long home runs, with Tinney’s traveling 415 feet. The Horns would add two more runs in the top of the second.
That would be all the runs Texas scored for the next five innings as Oregon pitching, particularly the bullpen, kept the Ducks CWS hopes alive.
Down 4-0, the Ducks started chipping away and manufacturing runs. In the bottom of the second, a dribbler through the right side of the infield by Naulivou Lauaki scored Drew Smith. Oregon then got two more in the bottom of the third when third baseman Drew Smith and first baseman Brayden Jaksa both had RBIs.
Oregon tied the game in the fifth on a Burke-Lee Mabeus ground out that scored Angel Laya. With the UT bats quiet, the Ducks took the lead in the bottom of the seventh when a Brayden Jaksa ground out to shortstop scored Ryan Cooney.
It was really starting to look like there would be a Game 3 to the NCAA Super Regional. Oregon coach Mark Wasikowski called for his closer Devin Bell, who entered the game with a 3.02 ERA and 12 saves on the year.
But Bell faltered. The senior hit Anthony Pack Jr. and gave up an infield single to Temo Becerra. That brought up Game 1 hero Adrian Rodriguez, who laced a double down the left field line to score two runs. The Texas shortstop had five RBIs on Saturday night.
Closer Sam Cozart did the rest. UT coach Jim Schlossnagle went to his closer to start the eighth inning and asked him to get six outs. No problem. The freshman phenom worked a perfect final two innings that featured four strikeouts to punch Texas’ ticket to Omaha.
Texas vs Oregon Game 2 baseball live score
FINAL: Texas 6, Oregon 5
Texas vs Oregon Game 2 baseball updates
Cozart slams the door (Bot 9)
UT’s freshman closer worked a perfect ninth, geting a ground out and two strikeouts to secure the win.
Better from Bell (Top 9)
Ducks Closer Devin Bell looked more like the pitcher that has 12 saves this season. The La Grande, Oregon native worked a perfect inning. Oregon has the top of the order up in the ninth.
Cozart blows through Ducks (Bot 8)
So far so good for UT closer Sam Cozart. The freshman from High Point, N.C. got two strikeouts and a ground out to work a 1-2-3 inning.
Cozart in for six outs (Bot 8)
Like the Ducks, Texas coach Jim Schlossnagle has gone to his closer in the eighth inning. Freshman phenom Sam Cozart will be asked to close out the final two innings to send the Longhorns to Omaha. Cozart is 6-0 with 8 saves this year.
Rodriquez again! (Top 8)
Ducks closer Devin Bell is having a rough outing. Inserted with one on and two out in the inning, Bell hit Anthony Pack Jr. and gave up an infield single to Temo Becerra. That brought up Game 1 hero Adrian Rodriguez, who laced a double down the left field line to score two runs. The Texas shortstop had five RBIs on Saturday night.
Ducks call on Closer to get 4 outs (Top 8)
With one on and two out in the top of the eighth inning, Oregon coach Mark Wasikowski has gone to his closer Devin Bell. The senior has a 3.02 ERA with 12 saves on the year.
Oregon takes late lead (Bot 7)
A Brayden Jaksa ground out to shortstop scored Ryan Cooney to give the Ducks a late 5-4 lead after seven innings. The run was unearned thanks to a Carson Tinney pass ball.
UT pull Riojas (Bot 6)
The book is closed on Texas starter Ruger Riojas. After getting the first two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Wimberley, Texas native hit Jax Gimenez with a pitch. Texas coach Jim Schlossnagle decided it was time. He brought in Ethan Walker, who shut the door on the inning.
Riojas allowed six hits and four earned runs in what will be a no-decision.
Ducks tie game (Bot 5)
After Ruger Riojas loaded the bases, a Burke-Lee Mabeus ground out scored Angel Laya to tie the game. Riojas then struck out Naulivou Lauaki to end the inning.
UT Strands two (Top 5)
The Longhorns looked to have a little rally going after Ashton Larson walked and Casey Borba was hit by a pitch. But Tanner Bradley got Dariyan Pendergrass to ground out back to the pitchers mound to get out of the inning.
Bradley changes it up (Top 4)
After throwing three balls to Temo Becerra, Ducks reliever Tanner Bradley threw three stright change-ups to strike out the shortstop.
Texas chases Ducks Ace (Top 4)
After loading the bases, Oregon coach Mark Wasikowski has decided to make a pitching change with the season on the line. Ducks ace Will Sanford is out. Right handed reliever Tanner Bradley is in.
Ducks Back in it (Bot 3)
Third baseman Drew Smith hit his second double of the game to score Ryan Cooney. Brayden Jaksa then shot a songle through the right side of the infield to plate Smith.
Web Gem Shuts down Texas (Top 3)
An acrobatic catch where he landed on top of the concrete wall that separates the stands from the field, Oregon left fielder Jax Gimenez helped prevent a Longhorns rally. In the end, UT only had one baserunner in the inning.
Ducks on the Board (Bot 2)
A dribbler to a vacated hole between first and second by Naulivou Lauaki scored Drew Smith. Smith led off the inning with a double. That is Oregon’s first hit with runners in scoring position during the Super Regionals.
UT taking advantage of Oregon mistakes (Top 2)
Texas had one on and two out when the Horns started a rally thanks to some pretty poor pitching by Ducks ace Will Sanford. He walked No. 9 hitter Dariyan Pendergrass. Then a wild pitch scored Ashton Larson.
Next a hard hit ball to third ate up Oregon third baseman Drew Smith to score Pendergrass.
Ducks Down in Order (Bot 1)
UT starter Ruger Riojas sat the Oregon hitters down 1-2-3 to start the game.
Back-to-Back Jacks (Top 1)
Carson Tinney followed Robbins lead off homer with one of his own. Tinney took the second pitch he saw out of the yard to right. It was an elevated fastball Tinney hit 415 feet.
Great Start (Top 1)
Right fielder Aiden Robbins led off the game with a home run off Oregon starter Will Sanford. Sanford threw three straight fastballs. Robbins hit the first change up he saw out of the park.
Texas Longhorns Starting Lineup
Oregon Ducks Starting Lineup
Texas Longhorns vs. Oregon Ducks game info
What channel is Texas vs. Oregon on?
Watch Texas vs. Oregon on Fubo TV! (Regional restrictions may apply)
Follow us on X/Twitter at @LonghornsWire.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: BREAKING: Late rally sends Texas Longhorns to College World Series
Reporting by Trey Luerssen, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Trey Luerssen, Longhorns Wire | USA TODAY Network
