WATCH: Texas survives and forces Game 3 against ECU with walk-off hit
After a late comeback with four runs in the eighth inning, Texas managed to force a Game 3 in their Super Regional matchup with ECU. With the bases loaded and two outs, Dylan Campbell fell behind in the count with a quick strike and foul ball before sending a deep shot to right field that fell right in front of the wall for a hit — sealing the game with a 9-8 victory for the Longhorns.
Texas forces Game 3 against ECU
The win pushes the Texas-ECU series into a deciding Game 3 after ECU won the first matchup of the series 13-7. The winner of tomorrow’s game will advance to Omaha and play in the College World Series.
Campbell’s hit was the second time in the final two innings that he put Texas on top of the Pirates after hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning to give Texas an 8-7 lead heading into the final inning. ECU responded with a solo home run of their own to tie the game back at 8-8, setting up a thrilling finish to Game 2.
The Longhorns were facing elimination after seven innings, following a massive five-run scoring outburst by ECU in the fifth. The Pirates scored two runs off of a double with bases loaded, and finished their scoring with a three-run home run on the very next at-bat. In the seventh inning, Texas gave up another run on a wild pitch — putting them down 7-2 in the middle of the inning.
After fighting their way back, Texas now has a chance to make it to the College World Series for the third time under coach David Pierce. Last year, Texas was one win away from making it to the College World Series Final before losing to Mississippi State 4-3 in their last game of the season.