Longhorns Win College World Series (again)!

The Longhorns had said throughout the postseason that they do not dog-pile unless they win it all. Well, all of that pent up emotion came spilling out Sunday afternoon after J. Brent Cox struck out the final batter of the College World Series, and the Horns mobbed one another in a massive pile of bodies near the pitcher’s mound.

The Longhorn defeated the Florida Gators 6-2 on Sunday, sweeping the Gators in two games on their way to the program’s sixth National Championship.

The Horns once again rode the strong arm of their starting pitcher; this time it was starter Kyle McCullough silencing the Gators’ bats for most of the game. After an inning of relief from pitcher Randy Boone, it was closing time, which means one thing: J. Brent Cox. The Longhorns' pitcher (and New York Yankee draft pick) set a record with his appearance Sunday; his effort in the Horns clinching game gave him more appearances than any pitcher in school history. The Horns also got some unlikely offensive support from deep in their lineup. Number eight hitter David Maroul, only a .229 career batter with more strikeouts than hits this year, continued his offensive surge in the CWS by going 3-4 with a home run and four RBI. He finished the CWS batting 8-16 with eight RBIs in the Horns five games and won Most Outstanding Player.

The Horns fought from a position with which they are not normally accustomed; they were unseeded to begin the post-season and had their backs to the wall in five elimination games. But their mix of strong starting pitching, near perfect relief and timely hitting and base running propelled them back to the place where they have been more than any college team in history (32 appearances). And with their sixth title, the Horns trail only the Trojans of USC (12) for most all-time. As coach Augie Garrido said following the game, “It’s mandatory for us to be here, and it’s a relief.”

Once again, you can light the tower orange.