UC Santa Barbara Gauchos vs Texas Longhorns


Robbins' homer rallies Texas past UC Santa Barbara
Aiden Robbins hit a go-ahead two-run home run in a wild seventh inning, and Texas rallied past UC Santa Barbara 6-4 on Sunday at UFCU Disch-Falk Field to win the NCAA baseball Austin Regional, with the Longhorns playing as the designated visiting team.
The Longhorns (43-13) overcame a chaotic sixth inning in which they lost the lead on two errors, responding immediately after a controversial runner's interference call negated a potential tying run. Robbins, who finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs, launched his homer to right-center to give Texas a 4-3 lead it would not relinquish. Ethan Mendoza also contributed by going 2-for-4 with two RBIs, including a run-scoring double in the eighth. Adrian Rodriguez and Carson Tinney each added two hits.
Texas starter Ruger Riojas pitched five innings, giving up one run and three hits while striking out six. During his outing, Riojas recorded his 300th career strikeout. Thomas Burns was effective in relief, striking out three over 1⅔ scoreless innings.
For UC Santa Barbara (40-20), Rowan Kelly powered the offense, going 2-for-3 with a solo home run and two walks. His first-inning blast gave the Gauchos an early 1-0 lead that held until the sixth inning. Starting pitcher Kellan Montgomery delivered a strong performance, holding the potent Longhorns offense to two runs and six hits over 5⅔ innings, striking out five.
The game turned in the sixth inning. After Texas scored twice in the top of the frame to take a 2-1 lead, the Gauchos answered in the bottom half. Following a bunt single by William Vasseur, a throwing error by pitcher Brett Crossland and a second throwing error by right fielder Aiden Robbins allowed two unearned runs to score, putting UC Santa Barbara back in front 3-2.
Texas added two more runs in the eighth on Mendoza's double and a subsequent throwing error by pitcher AJ Krodel. The Gauchos plated one run in the bottom of the eighth.
Up next: Texas advances to the super regionals and will host Oregon
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