Longhorns Walk-Off Beats Cajuns 5-3

Austin Todd hit a two run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning capped a three run rally as Texas defeated Louisiana for the second time, 5-3 Saturday afternoon at UFCU Disch-Falk Field in Austin, TX.

Todd's blast off Dylan Moore (0-1) came after the Cajuns (0-2) had rallied for two runs in the top of the inning for a 3-2 lead.  But Duke Ellis greeted the Cajun closer with a ricochet off the pitcher for an infield single.  After David Hamilton sacrificed, Masen Hibbeler tied the game with a single up the middle and went to second on the throw home.  During an intentional walk to Kody Clemens, Hibbeler tried to take third when the ball got away momentarily, but Kole McKinnon threw him out at third base.  Shaw then blasted the ball over the left field wall for the game winner.

The Cajuns had taken the lead against Texas closer Beau Ridgeway (1-0) hit Gavin Bourgeois with a pitch to open the inning.  Hayden Cantrelle then bunted and Ridgeway's throw to first base hit Cantrelle to put runners at first and second.  Hunter Kasuls then bunted and Ridgeway had no play and everyone was safe.  After Tyler Stover tied the game with a sacrifice fly to right, Kennon Fontenot delivered a squeeze bunt to score Kasuls and give Louisiana its first lead of the game.

"We had a much better approach at the plate," head coach Tony Robichaux said, "and we showed some fight in the ninth inning.  They just got us at the end today."

The Cajuns scored in the first inning off starter Chase Shugart when Bourgeois reached on a two base error by Clemens at third base.  Cantrelle sacrificed Bourgeois to third and Kasuls doubled down the line in right to score Bourgeois.  But Texas (2-0) tied it in the bottom of the inning off Cajuns' starter Nick Lee when Hamilton walked, stole second and went to third on a dropped third strike.  Clemens then grounded to first and the throw home was dropped and that tied the score.

Texas took the lead in the fifth when Hamilton singled and stole second where he was called safe although replays showed the throw was in time.  Hamilton scored on Clemens' single to give the Longhorns a 2-1 lead which held up until the ninth.

Shubert pitched 6.2 innings for Texas, allowing just three hits before giving way to Bryan Elder, who retired all four batters he faced.

Lee pitched five strong innings for the Cajuns, allowing five hits and two earned runs.  He walked three and struck out six.  Freshman Austin Perrin was solid in his Cajuns' debut, throwing three shutout innings and allowing just two hits.

The third and final game of the series will be Sunday at 1:00 pm.  Lefty Hogan Harris will get the start for the Cajuns, while Blair Henley has been tabbed as the starter for Texas.  The game can be heard on 96.5 KPEL-FM with pre game beginning at 12:30.