Burckel, Team Red Walk Off
11/22/2020 9:37:00 PM | Baseball
Red-White series capped in thrilling fashion
HOUSTON – Houston sophomore Brad Burckel drove a game-winning walk-off single to the right field fence, delivering Team Red a come-from-behind 5-4 victory and series clincher in the finale of the Red-White Series on Sunday night from Sanders Field at Schroeder Park.
Trailing by a run entering the final frame, freshman Luke Almendarez and freshman Will Pendergrass reached base to start the rally. With one away, leadoff batter Brandon Uhse provided a game-tying sacrifice fly to center to set up Burckel's heroics.
"We're going to be a tough team," Burckel said. "We're always pretty scrappy but I think this is one of the scrappiest teams we've had. We have power. We have speed. We have a little bit of everything. You can expect everything."
With the game knotted at two entering the home half of the fifth, the Lindale, Texas, product scorched a one-out triple into right center and came home to score on a passed ball.
Junior Steven Rivas struck his second home run in three days for Team White, a 417-foot solo homer that flew over the right-field foul pole, cutting the squad's deficit to 2-1 in the third. Team White sent eight batters to the plate in the top half of the sixth, with redshirt sophomore Ian McMillan and freshman Dax Dathe crossing home to give the squad a 4-3 advantage.
Red starter Jaycob Deese struck out five and allowed one run in 2 2/3 innings. Relievers Maddux Miller and Colby Casey did not permit an earned run. Miller struck out one in 1 1/3 innings and Casey fanned one in two frames.
Team White received a strong start from sophomore Ben Sears. The right-hander struck out four batters while working around three hits. He did not allow an earned run.
"They fought hard for three days," head coach Todd Whitting said. "You can't ask for any more of your team – plus to end it on a walk-off there at the end off the wall by Burckel, that was huge. I thought we pitched great all weekend. I thought we had competitive at-bats. I thought overall, our energy, effort and enthusiasm were all outstanding."
The contest capped Houston's fall action. The team will return to action in the New Year with the 2021 schedule set to be released at a later date.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Baseball on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarBB, and "Like" Houston Cougar Baseball on Facebook.
Trailing by a run entering the final frame, freshman Luke Almendarez and freshman Will Pendergrass reached base to start the rally. With one away, leadoff batter Brandon Uhse provided a game-tying sacrifice fly to center to set up Burckel's heroics.
"We're going to be a tough team," Burckel said. "We're always pretty scrappy but I think this is one of the scrappiest teams we've had. We have power. We have speed. We have a little bit of everything. You can expect everything."
WALK IT OFF, @bburck23 ‼️
— Houston Baseball (@UHCougarBB) November 23, 2020
🖐 delivers and 🚩 wins it. #M64 x #GoCoogs pic.twitter.com/EoY3O74uEi
With the game knotted at two entering the home half of the fifth, the Lindale, Texas, product scorched a one-out triple into right center and came home to score on a passed ball.
Junior Steven Rivas struck his second home run in three days for Team White, a 417-foot solo homer that flew over the right-field foul pole, cutting the squad's deficit to 2-1 in the third. Team White sent eight batters to the plate in the top half of the sixth, with redshirt sophomore Ian McMillan and freshman Dax Dathe crossing home to give the squad a 4-3 advantage.
Red starter Jaycob Deese struck out five and allowed one run in 2 2/3 innings. Relievers Maddux Miller and Colby Casey did not permit an earned run. Miller struck out one in 1 1/3 innings and Casey fanned one in two frames.
Team White received a strong start from sophomore Ben Sears. The right-hander struck out four batters while working around three hits. He did not allow an earned run.
"They fought hard for three days," head coach Todd Whitting said. "You can't ask for any more of your team – plus to end it on a walk-off there at the end off the wall by Burckel, that was huge. I thought we pitched great all weekend. I thought we had competitive at-bats. I thought overall, our energy, effort and enthusiasm were all outstanding."
The contest capped Houston's fall action. The team will return to action in the New Year with the 2021 schedule set to be released at a later date.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Baseball on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarBB, and "Like" Houston Cougar Baseball on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
INF/RHP
/ Baseball
INF/OF
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
OF
/ BaseballMedia Availability: HC Todd Whitting, Antoine Jean, Malachi Lott
Friday, May 23
Media Availability: HC Todd Whitting, Connor McGinnis, Andres Perez
Thursday, May 22
Highlights: Houston 9, Kansas State 2
Thursday, May 22
Highlights: Houston 13, Arizona 4
Thursday, May 15