Baseball falls, 5-4, to No. 19 UCLA on walk-off homer

Saturday, March 12

Los Angeles, Calif.

4 p.m.

University of Texas

7-8

UCLA

7-7

Texas

UCLA

Baseball falls, 5-4, to No. 19 UCLA on walk-off homer

03.12.2016 | Baseball

Box Score

The Longhorns made two comebacks in the game but the Bruins walked it off in the ninth.

Box Score

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Despite a pair of comebacks, a walk-off home run in the ninth sent Texas Baseball to a 5-4 loss at No. 19 UCLA on Saturday afternoon at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

After allowing three runs (two earned) over the first three innings, senior Ty Culbreth was superb throughout the remainder of his outing. The lefthander allowed just one hit from the fourth through seventh innings, and that lone baserunner was quickly erased by catcher Michael Cantu on a stolen base attempt.

With Culbreth bearing down, the Texas bats came alive in the sixth. Sophomore Travis Jones ignited the Longhorns offense, leading off the inning with a bunt single. With two outs and Jones on second, Tres Barrera—who made his first career start at third base—came through with a double to right to give Texas its first run.

One batter later, Kacy Clemens ripped a single through the right side, scoring Barrera and cutting the Longhorns deficit to just one.

The two sides swapped zeroes in the seventh, but Jones once again made a difference. Leading off the eighth, Jones launched a 3-1 pitch over the left field fence to pull the Longhorns even with the Bruins at 3-3.

In the eighth, the Bruins runners on the corners with one out off Culbreth. The senior was relieved by freshman Beau Ridgeway who proceeded to induce a popup to shallow center. Travis Duke then came on to face the lefty but when the senior picked off the Bruin at first, the baserunner at third came around to score, giving UCLA a 4-3 advantage.

The Longhorns would not go down without a fight, however. Kody Clemens led off the ninth with a double and advanced on a wild pitch. Michael Cantu followed with a walk before freshman Brady Harlan ripped a double to left field to level the score at 4-4.

Texas could not capitalize with runners on second and third and no outs, however, and UCLA got a chance to walk it off in the ninth. Bruins DH Kort Peterson took the first pitch he saw over the right field wall and the Bruins evened the series at one game apiece.

The Longhorns and Bruins meet tomorrow at 2 p.m. CT in the series rubber match. Texas righty Connor Mayes will take the mound against UCLA righty Kyle Molnar.