Michael Barash (@M_Barash5) hits walk-off bomb to lift @Aggie_Baseball over Texas 5-4. #GigEm pic.twitter.com/G2lgOsdCqX
— sportsthread (@sportsthread) March 16, 2016
5. 2016 Baseball: Walk Off Home Run – No. 3 Texas A&M 5, Texas 4
The Aggies and the Longhorns have met in just about every sport since A&M left the Big XII for the SEC, and each meeting (no matter the sport) has resulted in a great game. The baseball teams in particular have met most often, having met a few times in the NCAA tournament before scheduling each other for the regular season in 2016 and 2017.
The 2016 game was played at Olsen Field, and marked the first time the teams had played in College Station since realignment. The game, as expected, resulted in a lot of fireworks and nearly a post-game brawl.
The Aggies held a 4-0 lead in going into the ninth inning thanks to a two run third inning and a two run fourth inning, but the defense that had held all game would crack in the top of the ninth, allowing the Horns to get back in the game with a 4-run inning.
Starting pitcher Brigham Hill was replaced by Ryan Hendrix in the ninth, but the Longhorns were all over him. Hendrix loaded the bases on a walk, a hit by pitch, and a double before being replaced by Turner Larkins.
Kody Clemens responded to the pitching change by doubling off of Larkins to cut the Aggie lead in half and Bret Boswell would follow that up a few batters later with an RBI double to tie the game. Only one batter – senior catcher Michael Barash – was needed for the Aggies to respond and put the Longhorns away for good. After battling and working a full count, Barash went yard on Ty Culbreth for the game winner.