2009 CWS: Jungmann Pitches Texas Into Deciding Game Three

2009 Men's College World Series, Championship Series, Game 2

Final Score: Texas 5, LSU 1

On Monday in Game One of the 2009 College World Series Championship Series, Taylor Jungmann entered the game for Texas in the top of the ninth inning, with Texas clinging to a two run lead. 

He would throw six straight balls, issue one walk, exit the game, and LSU would score two runs to force extra innings. As we all know, LSU eventually won the game. 

On Tuesday, Jungmann pitched a complete game and gave up just five hits, after a 1 hour, 45 minute weather delay at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska. 

LSU, who was hoping to get out of town with a trophy after Game 2, must now stick around.

"Jungmann had a lot to do with us sticking around" LSU head coach Paul Mainieri said after the game. "He was outstanding, he had good velocity and a good slider."

Texas scored all of their runs in the first three innings and mustered just four singles in the remaining seven innings, but it was a big enough lead for Jungmann to hang on. 

"I've always thought that the best thing for a curveball is a four-run lead," Augie Garrido said afterwards. 

Texas got things started in the first inning by doing what they do best-- manufacturing a run. Michael Torres was walked by LSU starter Austin Ross to begin the game. Torres was bunted to second, and scored on a base hit by Brandon Belt. In the second, a solo home run from Connor Rowe put the Longhorns up 2-0. 

In the bottom of the second, LSU would inch closer when Jared Mitchell scored off of a fielding error. 

"We hit some bumpy spots. We had three errors. It was certainly not a game of perfection," Garrido said. 

Russell Moldenhauer, who entered the CWS with no home runs in 64 games, hit his fourth home run of the series in the bottom of the third, giving Texas a two-run lead. Two doubles and a single in the remainder of the inning would produce two more runs for the Longhorns, and the score after three innings-- 5-1 -- was the final score. Jungmann would finish the game with nine strikeouts for the Longhorns. 

"I was seeing the ball well," Moldenhauer said. "He was throwing low in the zone. I had a hunch he'd come back inside, and he left it up enough for me to elevate."

LSU and Texas will play tonight at 4 PM PT in a winner-take-all Game 3. 

--Jake (jake.buildingthedam@gmail.com)