#2 Texas scored one run in the 9th and had the go-ahead runners on base but came up just short, 2-1, to #7 Mississippi State in the Longhorns’ College World Series opener at TD Ameritrade Park on Sunday.
Ty Madden was outstanding in his first CWS start, striking out 10 batters in 7 innings. The only runs he allowed were a pair in the 4th inning. He ended his day with a strike ’em out, throw ’em out double play in the 7th inning.
Mississippi State scored its only runs in the 4th inning, using a sacrifice fly and a two-out RBI triple down the right field line to take a 2-0 lead. Pete Hansen relieved Madden to start the 8th inning and pitched two shutout innings. He allowed just one hit and struck out two batters.
The Longhorns battled in the bottom of the 9th after being held scoreless through the first eight innings. Mike Antico started the 9th with a solo homer to put Texas on the board. With two outs, Ivan Melendez worked an incredible 10-pitch walk to keep the game alive. Cam Williams then lined a single to center field to put runners on the corners but a groundout would end the game.
Texas will now face Tennessee in an elimination game on Tuesday at 1 PM at TD Ameritrade Park. The two teams have only met twice all-time, with the Volunteers winning in 2008 and 2012 at the Houston College Classic at Minute Maid Park.
Longhorns starting pitcher Ty Madden and head coach David Pierce met with the media following the game to discuss the loss and look ahead to Tuesday’s game vs. Tennessee. Video is courtesy of the NCAA and the College World Series.