Corey Hassel hit a three-run, walk-off homerun in the bottom of the eighteenth inning to give Oklahoma State a 6-3 win. Notably, in the extended game that saw a total of 18 pitchers used by the two clubs, Hassel was also the game’s winning pitcher.
The story of the game is told in the teams’ 27 combined hits only resulting in a 3-3 tie through 17 innings. Both clubs steadily missed opportunities throughout the night. Despite extra outs from six combined defensive errors, three called balks, and 17 total walks, both teams failed to capitalize on offensive opportunities throughout the game. A total of 39 runners were left on base (20 by Texas).
Oklahoma State scored a game-tying run in the bottom of the ninth frame with help from the Horns. A two-out walk to the ninth batter in the order (Jacob Chappell) combined with another walk and an RBI single led to the run.
The Cowboys led for the first seven innings of the contest, but Texas scored two runs in the top of the eighth frame to take a brief lead. The only other Texas run came from an unearned run on a passed ball in the top of the third stanza.
The top of the 14th inning was a capsule of the entire night for the Longhorns. The hitters rallied for three hits and the Cowboys contributed a fielding errors, but a Tres Barrera baserunning blunder and two strikeouts resulted in no runs and three runners left on base.
Ty Marlow put forth a valiant effort, entering the game in the bottom of the thirteenth inning. Marlow battled for 4.1 IP, holding OSU scoreless, while giving the Texas offense time to pull off the win. The Longhorns used nine pitchers, with Andy McGuire taking the loss when he allowed the homerun by Hassel.
Texas and Oklahoma State play Game 2 on Saturday evening at 6:30PM (Central). The game will be televised on ESPNU.
POST-GAME
Augie Garrido
