Rocket’s kid drives Texas
AUSTIN, Texas — All-American Kody Clemens, the youngest son of Roger Clemens, drove in two runs, one with his 23rd home run of the season, and Texas defeated Tennessee Tech, 4-2, on Sunday to even their NCAA Tournament best-of-three super regional series at one victory apiece. Game 3 is Monday. TStarter Chase Shugart (6-3) allowed just one run and two hits (he walked five) before leaving after six innings. Shugart picked up a win and a save as Texas (41-21) won the regional it hosted to advance to the super regional.
The Longhorns jumped ahead 2-0 after two innings. Clemens, a finalist for national player of the year and a draft pick of the Detroit Tigers, lined a double to right-center to drive in one run in the first.
Ryan Reynolds hit a bloop opposite-field double to left that gave Texas a 2-0 lead in the second.
Tech (53-11), which leads the nation in batting average and home runs, produced just three hits and has one homer in two games here.
The Golden Eagles, home team for Game 2, cut the deficit in half in the second with a single, walk and throwing error by Clemens, who plays second base, while trying to complete a double play.
Clemens didn’t take long to atone; he slugged a home run off losing pitcher Travis Moths (13-3) with one out in the third for a 3-1 lead. While rounding first, Clemens flashed the Texas Longhorn hand sign at the Tennessee Tech bench. Clemens also hit a home run in the 5-4 Texas loss in Game 1.
Texas added a fourth run with an RBI single by Tate Shaw in the seventh inning.
Shugart walked two batters in the sixth, putting runners on first and second with one out, Chase Chambers and Trevor Putzig hit harmless fly balls to end the inning.
Blair Henley replaced Shugart in the seventh. He was greeted by David Garza, who hit his 17th home run of the season. Henley picked up a save.
TOP SEED FLORIDA LOSES
In Gainesville, Fla., Luke Jarvis’ single in the bottom of the ninth scored pinch-runner Cade Evans from second base and gave Auburn a 3-2 victory over top-seeded Florida (46-19) in their best-ofthree super regional. The win set up a decisive game Monday night.
Jarvis was hitless in seven atbats in the series before coming through in the clutch.
Brendan Venter got things started in the inning with a leadoff walk off reliever Jordan Butler (6-2). He moved to second on Jay Estes’ single and then gave way to Evans. Jarvis drove the first pitch into left center, easily scoring Evans.
Will Holland had an RBI double in the eighth, and Steven Williams homered in the fourth for Auburn (43-22).