Longhorns Beat Hurricanes 10-6, Sweep Coral Gables Regional
Coming into the Coral Gables Regional the Texas Longhorns (41-20) faced modest expectations. After all, they had just lost two straight in the Big 12 Tournament and cost themselves a shot to host their own regional.
With that, many believed the No. 1 seeded Miami Hurricanes would get the job done at home and win the regional. Well, it is safe to say that the Longhorns had other plans on their mind.
Having already beaten the Hurricanes 4-1 in the winner's bracket on Saturday, the Longhorns only needed one more win to win the Coral Gables Regional and advance to the supers.
However, those hopes got off to a rocky start early in Sunday's showdown against Miami. Tanner Witt got a flawless 1-2-3 first inning, but was rocky in the second while giving up a three-run home run to put Texas in an early 3-0 hole.
That deficit was short lived, though, as the Longhorns offense roared to life in big fashion in the third inning. A Jared Thomas RBI single, Peyton Powell two-run single and Garret Guillemette two-run double put Texas ahead 5-3.
They weren't done there either, as they would load the bases with one out and Jalin Flores stepping to the plate. Not shying away from the moment, the talented freshman launched a no doubter over the center field wall for a one out grand slam to put Texas ahead 9-3 and cap off a nine-run third inning.
From there, it was all Longhorns on the mound. Charlie Hurley, who came on in the third inning in relief of Witt, turned in one of his best performances of the season. He tossed 4.1 innings of three-run baseball, halting any momentum the Hurricanes had and shutting down a potent lineup.
After Hurley gave up a three-run home run to make it 10-6 in the seventh, the Longhorns went to the bullpen for just the third time in the regional to bring in Zane Morehouse, who was lights out himself.
Morehouse looked like his old self once again, giving Texas 2.2 innings of shutout baseball while striking out seven - including a strikeout of the side in the top of the ninth to slam the door shut and secure the 10-6 win for the Longhorns that sent them to the supers.
What's next for Texas?
After winning the Coral Gables Regional, the Longhorns are super regional bound. They will await the outcome of the Stanford Regional. If the Cardinal come out of the loser's bracket and win two straight against Texas A&M, the Longhorns will be on the road for the super regional. However, a Texas A&M win on Sunday would then result in the committee selecting who hosts the super regional between the two.
You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98
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