The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Nebraska
No. 2 Baseball opens Big 12 play with a walk-off win against Nebraska, 6-5
03.19.2010 | Baseball
March 19, 2010
AUSTIN, Texas -- A three-run walk-off home run by Cameron Rupp in the bottom of the ninth inning gave the No. 2 Texas Longhorns a 6-5 victory over the Nebraska Cornhuskers to open Big 12 play at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday evening.
Trailing 5-3, Jordan Weymouth's pinch-hit two-out double in the bottom of the ninth inning kept the Longhorns alive in the game. Keyes then drew a walk, and was replaced by pinch runner Kyle Lusson. Cameron Rupp followed by taking the first pitch he saw, from Nebraska reliever Kurt Giller, deep down the rightfield line for a three-run walk-off home run to give the Longhorns the dramatic 6-5 win.
The Cornhuskers got on the scoreboard early after Adam Bailey hit a two-out solo home run to left field in the top of the first inning.
Texas answered in the bottom of the second inning. Cameron Rupp led off the inning with a single and reached third after a single to right by Kevin Lusson. Russell Moldenhauer singled up the middle to drive in Rupp, tying the game at 1-1.
Nebraska (8-8, 0-1 Big 12) reclaimed the lead with a three-run sixth inning. DJ Belfonte was hit by a pitch by Texas' starter, Taylor Jungmann. Belfonte stole second base and reached third after a passed ball. Bailey followed a Kale Kiser walk with a double to plate Belfonte. Jungmann then struck out Josh Scheffert before allowing a two-out single to Cody Asche which brought Kiser and Bailey home, and gave the Cornhuskers a 4-1 lead.
Texas (14-4, 1-0 Big 12) got back on the scoreboard in the sixth inning. Jonathan Walsh led off the inning with a single, and after a fielder's choice left Brandon Loy on first base, Kevin Lusson hit an RBI double to drive him in. Lusson advanced to third on a groundout by Moldenhauer, and then came around to score on a Cohl Walla single to right field, cutting the Cornhusker lead to 4-3.
Nebraska put an insurance run on the board in the eighth inning. After Bailey led off with a single, a fielder's choice on a botched bunt attempt left pinch-hitter Boomer Collins at first base. Asche followed with a double to center, scoring Collins and extending the Cornhuskers' advantage to 5-3.
Rupp led the Longhorns offensively, going 2-for-4 with two runs, three RBI, a walk, and the game-ending home run.
Bailey and Asche paced Nebraska, both going 3-for-4 and combining for two runs and five RBI.
Chance Ruffin (3-1) earned the win in relief for Texas, pitching 1.2 perfect innings and striking out five. Jungmann pitched 7.1 innings, allowing five earned runs while striking out eight.
Nebraska's Kurt Giller (0-1) was saddled with the loss after pitching 2.2 innings and giving up three earned runs in the bottom of the ninth, all with two outs. He allowed two hits, two walks and struck out three in a losing effort. Nebraska starter, Casey Hauptman got a no-decision after allowing three earned runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out five over 6.0 innings.
Texas and Nebraska return to action at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Saturday with a 3 p.m. first pitch.
