2003 College World Series Game 10
Complete CWS Index

By John Manuel
June 17, 2003

OMAHA--It was just a matter of time before Huston Street got into a Texas game on the mound in the 2003 College World Series.

Thanks to freshman Sam LeCure, last year's Most Outstanding Player got a chance to show how outstanding he is again.

LeCure pitched into the seventh before tiring, and Street moved over from third to set a CWS saves record as Texas eliminated Miami 5-1 Tuesday night at Rosenblatt Stadium in front of a crowd of 23,162.

LeCure (5-0), a righthander who was used rarely in Big 12 Conference play, continued to come up large in the postseason for the Longhorns, who advanced to Wednesday's bracket championship against Rice. LeCure's last start came in the Big 12 tournament as the 'Horns battled back from the loser's bracket to win the tournament, and it was a complete-game win against Texas A&M. He also was effective in a regional outing in relief against Lamar.

"Tonight was almost a duplication of Sam's performance against Texas A&M," Garrido said. "We either beat A&M or we lose the Big 12 tournament. It was a win we had to have. This was about the same situation as the Big 12.

"It was good to see him focused and relaxed. He stayed within himself. He had the same look in his eye as he did against A&M, and he pitched with no fear."

The Missouri native gave up seven hits in 6 2/3 innings against the Hurricanes, walking only one and striking out two. Both whiffs came with runners in scoring position, in the fourth and fifth, as LeCure spotted his high-80s fastball and threw his slider for consistent strikes.

"I felt really relaxed," said LeCure, who had pitched one inning against Miami in the previous meeting between the clubs. "I had foreseen I would start in the tournament, so I was mentally prepared to start. There was really nothing to be nervous about. It's just another ballgame. I feel pretty confident being that guy in a pressure situation; I want to be that guy."

And when LeCure tired, Texas had another righthander comfortable being That Guy. LeCure wobbled a bit in the fifth and sixth innings--allowing his only run and four hits--and Street started to steal some warmup pitches during mound visits, practicing his pitching motion at third base or throwing to a teammate set up in foul territory. When Texas was at bat, Street would retreat to the bullpen to get a feel for throwing off a mound.

He apparently got the feel, striking out Adam Ricks to get out of a two-on, two-out jam in the seventh when he relieved LeCure. He then dominated in the last two innings, getting three outs on four pitches in the eighth, then cruising through the ninth. He retired all seven batters he faced. The save was the fifth of Street's career, breaking a tie with Stanford's Jeff Bruksch for the record. Street also owns the single CWS record with the four he racked up last year en route to the national championship.

"Normally, I would have argued to stay in the game--'I can get one more guy'--and I probably could have," LeCure said. "But I was tired. I had to work hard every pitch. I felt it was best at that point to put Huston in the game."

Street also had a good night in the field, handling three chances at third base and two from the mound flawlessly. He also contributed a single during Texas' two-run sixth-inning rally. "I'll take any one of those," Street joked about the hit, which raised his average to a meager .172.

Street's hit was one of just six for the Longhorns, who once again benefited from the wildness of Miami pitching, much as they had in the first meeting, a 12-2 Texas win. In that Saturday game, Hurricanes pitchers walked six and hit four Texas batters. On this night, lefthander Brandon Camardese (9-2) pitched well, and kept Miami in the game, but gave up four of the eight walks issued to Texas batters. Two of those walks scored.

He ran into trouble in the third. Sophomore DH Michael Hollimon, making his first start since May 4, led off the inning with a solo homer, just his third of the season. One out later, Camardese walked Tim Moss. The lefthander then got burned by Texas' top two hitters--both lefthanded. Omar Quintanilla, the Athletics' supplemental first-round pick, lined a double to left, and Dustin Majewski (the A's third-rounder) followed with a double to center to score both runners, making it 3-0.

"We put too many guys on base with walks and didn't get hits with guys on base," Miami coach Jim Morris said. "Usually when you do those things, you don't win."

The 'Horns wrapped up the game with a pair of runs in the sixth, a rally that included three walks, a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly to go with two singles. That four-run cushion was more than enough for Street, who threw just 22 pitches.

So Street should be fresh to face Rice, whom the Longhorns must beat twice to reach the best-of-three championship series.

"I think we have the talent and ability to compete with Rice," Street said. "We know they're a very talented club, and they have beaten us twice. But the great thing about baseball is, tomorrow's a new day."

Tuesday night brought a new hero in Texas' long CWS history, but also showed an old hero is still very much a factor.