June 27, 2004

Box Score

OMAHA, Neb. - Despite an outstanding 6.1-inning start by Texas hurler Sam LeCure (Centertown, Mo./Helias Interparish), Kurt Suzuki's RBI-single in the seventh inning capped a three-run rally for No. 4 Cal State Fullerton (47-22) as they hung on to defeat No. 2 Texas (58-15) for their fourth national title in the second and deciding game of the 2004 Men's College World Series before a crowd of 21,392 at Rosenblatt Stadium on Sunday, June 27.

Texas managed to load the bases in the top of the first with two outs via a leadoff double by Dooley Prince (Sulphur, La./Sulphur/McNeese State), a fielder's choice ground out and a walk before Hunter Harris (Tulsa, Okla./Metro Christian Academy/Connors State College) delivered a base hit to center field that scored two runs and gave UT an early 2-0 lead. The game then settled into a pitcher's duel as both offenses were held to a combined five hits through four and one half innings by Jason Windsor for Cal St. Fullerton and LeCure for Texas. In the bottom of the fifth, the Titans threatened by placing runners on the corners with two outs via a single by Bobby Andrews and a base hit by from Ronnie Prettyman, but Justin Turner lined his first pitch off LeCure's right heel and saw David Maroul (Benbook, Texas/Western Hills/Grayson CC) come up with a bare-handed throw to first to end the inning unscathed.

Following a scoreless sixth, the game then moved into the bottom of the seventh where with one out and Andrews on first with a single in the bottom half of the frame, Brett Pill came through with a pinch-hit triple down the left-field line before being lifted for a pinch-runner in Brandon Tripp, who scored on a wild pitch to knot the game at 2-2. Still threatening in the inning, CSF used an infield error and a single just through the right side that came in front of a RBI-base hit by Suzuki to stake the Titans to a 3-2 lead. After a scoreless eighth, the Longhorns came to bat in the top of the ninth down to their final three outs. With one out, Texas put the tying run on first base as Ryan Russ (Comfort, Texas/Kerrville Tivy/Texas A&M/Navarro College) singled through the right side. However, Windsor struck out the next batter he faced and induced a flyout to end the Longhorns' threat and capture the national title. Incurring the hard-fought loss, was Cody, while Windsor picked up the win with a complete-game effort in which he struck out 10 and allowed only five hits. Notably, LeCure received a no-decision despite allowing only one run on five hits over 6.1 innings while striking out five as he worked six shutout frames to start the ballgame.

Headlining the Texas offense was Russ, who went 2-for-3, and Harris, who collected two RBI. Meanwhile, CSF was led by Andrews, who went 2-for-4 and accounted for one run scored, and five different Titans who each tallied one hit, including Pill and Suzuki, who each drove in one run. Notably, Seth Johnston (Boerne, Texas/Boerne) was named to the College World Series All-Tournament Team for his efforts during the series.