Todd's walk-off blast lifts Baseball to 5-3 comeback win

Saturday, February 17

Austin, Texas

2:30 p.m.

University of Texas

2-0

UL-Lafayette

0-2

Louisiana

TEXAS

Todd's walk-off blast lifts Baseball to 5-3 comeback win

02.17.2018 | Baseball

Box Score

Sophomore Austin Todd launched a two-out, two-run bomb to give Texas its first walk-off win at home since 2014.

AUSTIN, Texas—After falling behind in the top of the ninth, Texas Baseball fought back for a 5-3 win over visiting Louisiana on Saturday thanks to a two-out, two-run walk-off bomb off the bat of sophomore Austin Todd.

Ahead 2-1 since the fifth frame thanks to a solid first career start from Chase Shugart on the mound, Texas closer Beau Ridgeway found himself in some trouble in the final frame. After he hit the leadoff batter in the ninth, the Ragin' Cajuns put together a string of bunts to tie the ballgame at 2-2 and eventually take a 3-2 lead.

Sophomore transfer Duke Ellis led off the Longhorns' final ups and smoked a line drive off Louisiana closer Dylan Moore for his first hit in a Texas uniform. After David Hamilton bunted Ellis over, junior transfer Masen Hibbeler knocked a base hit up to middle to plate Ellis and tie the ballgame once again.

Hibbeler was eventually thrown out trying to take third on a ball that got away from the catcher, but Kody Clemens was intentionally walked to put a runner on first for Todd.

The sophomore from Round Rock launched the first pitch he saw over the left-center field wall and the Longhorns celebrated at home plate.

Shugart went 6.2 innings in his season debut, allowing three hits and one unearned run while striking out three. Hibbeler went 3-for-5 on the day while Clemens notched a pair of hits and Zach Zubia picked up his first hit at Texas. Todd and Clemens each had two RBI on the day.

The walk-off was the first at UFCU Disch-Falk Field since Mark Payton's three-run double vs. Baylor on April 5, 2014. It was the first walk-off homer at home for the Horns since Cameron Rupp's three-run walk-off homer on March 20, 2010 vs. Nebraska.

With the win, the Longhorns clinched the series victory after defeating the Ragin' Cajuns on Friday night. Texas goes for the series sweep on Sunday afternoon in a 1 p.m. game at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.