Clemens’ big bat leads Texas to CWS
AUSTIN, Texas — Kody Clemens had just launched another massive postseason home run when he stared hard into the opposing dugout and flashed the “Hook ’em Horns” hand sign.
It was the sort of bravado that has come to define the Clemens name at Texas and in baseball in general. And like his father Roger did more than 30 years ago, Kody Clemens has led the Longhorns back to the College World Series with outsized confidence and the talent in a big bat to back it up.
“Kody just keeps hitting home runs,” said Texas infielder Jake McKenzie. “We’re excited every time he comes to the plate.”
There’s a genuine curiosity just where the ball will land after he makes contact — and what he will do when rounding the bases. Clemens ignited the Longhorns in an NCAA regional win over traditional rival Texas A&M when he stared into the third base dugout as he trotted home after launching a three-run homer in an 8-3 win.
“If you don’t like it,” Texas A&M coach Rob Childress told his players after Clemens’ icy stare, “make a better pitch.”
Clemens wasn’t done. In the Super Regional against Tennessee Tech, he smashed another long shot and flipped his bat before flipping the hook’em sign at the dugout as he rounded third. The blast came in a 4-2 win that kept Texas alive in the tournament. He hit his third homer of the Super Regional in a win that sent Texas (42-21) to the College World Series for a record 36th time. Their opener comes Sunday against Arkansas (44-19).
Clemens hit just five home runs in a designated-hitter role last season after Tommy John surgery.
His 24 homers this season rank second in school history behind Kyle Russell’s 28 in 2007. He is 11 of 22 with five home runs in the postseason.
“He’s excited,” Kody Clemens said of his father. “He’s been pushing me, pushing this team, telling us to keep doing everything right. He’s excited to go out there and watch us play on that stage.”