Texas beats Tenn. Tech for berth in CWS
Tennessee Tech’s Cinderella season came to an end Monday. In a deciding Game 3 of the Austin Super Regional, the Golden Eagles lost 5-2 to Texas.
“I give credit to them,” Tech coach Matt Bragga said after the game. “I think that they really pounded the strike zone. They went after us with fastballs. Our guys were a little late, and that doesn’t happen very often with our guys.”
Tech threatened in the ninth inning, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate with two outs. But Brennon Kaleiwahea grounded out to end the game.
Texas went through six pitchers on Monday. Three of the pitching changes came in the top of the sixth inning.
Texas’ Kody Clemens again left his mark, homering to left in the third inning. It was his 24th home run of the season. Clemens homered in all three games of the Super Regional.
Two batters later, DJ Petrinsky followed up with a solo homer.
Texas is no stranger to the College World Series and will be making its 36th appearance, an NCAA record.
Although Tennessee Tech came up short in the Super Regional, the team had unprecedented success this season. The Golden Eagles’ offense led all of Division I baseball in batting average, hits, home runs, home runs per game, onbase percentage, runs, scoring, slugging percentage and win/loss percentage.
For the first time under the leadership of Bragga, the Golden Eagles reached the 50-win mark, becoming the first team in OVC history to do so. Tech has four 40-win seasons in the past six years. They had eight players drafted by major league teams, a program record. They also put together a 28-game win streak.
“What a year. These young men are just amazing,” Bragga said. “The special thing about this group is that they love each other. They will fight for each other like brothers. It was very special, and I will cherish that forever.”