Longhorns fall to Aggies in CWS elimination game 10-2

Photo: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

Omaha, NE -- The Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies both came into Sunday facing elimination. The Texas bullpen has been a question mark all season while Lucas Gordon has arguably been the Longhorns' most effective pitcher since he took over Saturday's starting duties. Gordon threw only ten pitches in the first inning but struggled in the second on his way to being pulled. With Tristan Stevens unavailable, the Aggie bats took over and led them to a 10-2 victory.

In typical fashion, the Longhorns got off to a fast start. Two runs in the first two innings came by way of an Austin Todd RBI single to left to bring in Douglas Hodo III and an RBI double down the left field line from Hodo III that drove in Campbell. Unfortunately for the 'Horns those two runs would be the only ones on the day.

The Longhorns were betting on Lucas Gordan being able to pitch deep into the game but the Aggies delivered four runs in the second frame that saw Gordon being pulled, giving way to a lead they would not relinquish. Texas A&M smacked two RBI singles to left and a two-run double off the left field wall.

Texas A&M continued scoring runs in four of the remaining seven innings. They knocked one run in in the third, fourth, seventh and eighth frames while adding two runs in the fifth. 

Awards for the Longhorn Baseball standouts

Even though the Longhorns fell short of expectations, (with Tanner Witt going down to injury being a big part of that) the 'Horns can hang their hats on history being made. Ivan Melendez smashed a single season team record 32 home runs on the season and is the current favorite to win the Golden Spikes award. Ivan's 32 home runs is the most in a season since Billy Becher of New Mexico State hit the same in 2003. This Texas squad also destroyed the team record for home runs in a season with 128 (previous record was 81).

Ivan Melendez won Big 12 Player of the Year award, the highest honor in the conference.

Longhorns making the All-Big 12 First Team include: Ivan Melendez, Murphy Stehly, Silas Ardoin, and Pete Hansen. Melendez and Hansen being the only two unanimous selections in the conference.

All-Big 12 Second Team: Trey Faltine, Skyler Messinger, and Lucas Gordon

All-Big 12 Honorable Mentions: Douglas Hodo III, and Austin Todd

Congratulation to head coach David Pierce and the Texas Baseball program on a successful season and trip to Omaha.