Yes children, it's already day 3. Day 2 saw the Missouri Tigers defeat the Oklahoma State Cowboys 6-5, Texas beat Baylor 6-1, OU beat Tech 3-1, and finally A&M knocked off KSU, 4-1. Baylor is officially eliminated from the tournament, while Missouri is surprising everyone and has won 2 straight. Oklahoma State now goes on to face Texas today at 3:15, and if we win it would set up a rematch with Missouri tomorrow at 9 am. Click the jump for a quick Missouri recap and a Texas preview.
With the Cowboys down 2 in the top of the 9th, Zach Johnson drove in 2 runs to tie the game, but the rally ended there as Davis Duren grounded out to end the inning. As the Cowboys were trying to get the outs and send the game to the tenth, Missouri sophomore Eric Garcia managed a single, which drove in Andrew Thingpen for the game winning RBI. In the end having the home field seemed to be the difference, as Missouri had 2 error and the Cowboys none, but we just couldn't get any offense going early. We left a few on base, but it was a mostly defensive struggle except for 3 innings. Quote time, then Texas.Coach Frank Anderson
On the game: "Basically the game had a bunch of different turns to it. Rob Zastryzny stuck it to us for six or seven innings. We didn't handle the game very well early, we had some things go sideways, we get picked off, we drop pop flies and their kid basically took it to us. Once we got it broke open a little bit, things snowballed, that's just how this game works. I was proud of how our kids fought back. At the juncture that I put Chris (Marlowe) in, it didn't look like we were going to score very many. I wanted to put him in to strike two guys out and it didn't work out. I was proud of how we battled back and put ourselves in a situation to win the game."
Coach Tim Jamieson
On his thoughts of the game: "I’m really proud of these guys, not just this weekend, but the last five or six weeks. We’re looking forward to playing on Saturday. We got a great effort from a lot of different people. We only swung the bats well in a couple different innings, but we’re fortunate that was enough."
Eric Garcia
On getting the walk-off win: "It felt great. We’ve had some great ninth-inning wins and extra-inning wins, and today is probably one of the biggest ones we’ve had all year just because we need to win this tournament. I feel like we’re getting our confidence right now."
Texas rebounded from their loss to Missouri Wednesday by spanking Baylor out of the tournament, 6-1, with Taylor Jungmann pitching a complete game for the Longhorns. For Texas Cole Green (6-3) will take the mound today, while the Cowboys pitcher is to be determined (I'm guessing kind of a "by committee" thing, starting with Hunter Herrera). This is an elimination game for both teams, and while Texas is ranked #2 in the country, I think we have a great chance of winning this game. Texas has already won the Big 12 regular season title, and they are far more concerned with the NCAA Tourney than they are the Big 12. The Cowboys, on the other hand, are still fighting for seeding (I'm sure we'll make the Tourney, but where is still to be determined) and I think have more motivation. Will that be enough to take the game? We'll see, but we have beaten Texas twice already this year, and I would love to make it 3 times. You can catch the action live here,
Go Pokes