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OMAHA, NEBRASKA -- The Texas Longhorns won the National Championship of Collegiate Baseball Saturday, with a 12-6 victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks in the final game of the 2002 College World Series in Omaha. It's the fifth national championship for the Longhorns, the first since 1983, and the first under coach Augie Garrido, who skippered three other national titles at Cal-State Fullerton.

Texas used three pitchers in the contest, each being touched-up briefly, but not seriously enough to allow South Carolina to out produce the Texas offense. The crowning moment in the game came with the the Longhorns leading 4-2 in the fifth inning, when senior surprise starter Chris Carmichael lifted a three run homer into the right field stands for a 7-2 lead, and enough cushion, ultimately, for the win. Making the all College World Series "all-tournament team" from Texas were second baseman Tim Moss, third baseman Omar Quintanilla, outfielder Dustin Majewski, and pitchers Justin Simmons and Huston Street. Street, who had four saves in four games at the CWS, was named the 2002 College World Series Most Valuable Player.

Championship game jitters and the well-known "Rosenblatt Breeze" played roles early. The Gamecocks struck first with a leadoff ground ball by Drew Meyer through the legs of Texas shortstop Brandon Fahey for an error. Meyer scored on a Trey Dyson sacrifice fly, but the bases loaded up before Texas starter Justin Simmons struck out Garris Gonce to put out the fire. Then, Texas retaliated in the bottom of the first on a single by Tim Moss, a bloop double by Omar Quintanilla, and a wind driven triple by Dustin Majewski in and out of the glove of Carolina left fielder Gonce at the wall. Majewski then scored on a Fahey sacrifice. After one, Texas led 3-1.

Each team added a run in the second -- South Carolina on a double by Brandon Powell and a bloop single by Justin Harris. Texas countered when Texas designated hitter J.D. Reininger reached second on a ground ball throwing error by Gamecock shortstop Drew Meyer, and scored on a double by Omar Quintanilla -- again the ball caught by the left field breeze. After two, Texas led 4-2.

Texas mounted threats in the third and fourth, but the bomb fell in the fifth. Ontiveros reached on a bloop popup to shallow right center that Gamecock second baseman Kevin Melillo lost in the sun for an error. Brandon Fahey then walked, and set the stage for surprise senior starter, leftfielder Chris Carmichael (pictured here rounding third - AP Photo), who blasted a 1-2 pitch into the rightfield stands for a 7-2 Texas lead. The horns added an eighth run in the sixth, on a sacrifice fly by Ryan Hubele, scoring Majewski - his second of three runs scored in the game.

Simmons, after the rocky first and second innings, held South Carolina at bay allowing only one hit and two baserunners until the seventh. The Gamecocks touched the Texas lefthanded All-American for two runs on a walk and four hits, and gave way to reliever Alan Bomer, who got out of the seventh with a strikeout. Simmons notched 6-2/3 innings, allowing eight hits and four runs (three earned). Bomer allowed a walk and a single in the eighth, and with one out and runners at first and second, gave way to Longhorn "Save-Ace", Huston Street. Street walked Drew Meyer, loading the bases with one out, and the tying run at the plate. Justin Harris hit a grounder to Quintanilla at third, who threw to Moss at second for the first part of a double play. On Moss' relay to first, the ball slipped, allowing two runners to score. Street then struck out Gamecock power hitter Aaron Peters to end the inning. Texas 8, South Carolina 6.

Trying to add insurance in the bottom of the eighth, the Longhorns did that, and more. Texas "batted around", scoring four on two singles, two doubles, two walks, and a sacrifice fly. Texas 12, South Carolina 6.

The South Carolina ninth. Street on the mound. Thomas, base hit to right. Dyson chops up the middle, nicking Street's glove, fielded my Moss, who tags second and relays to first for the double play. Greenwood grounds out, unassisted, to Ontiveros at first. LIGHT THE TEXAS TOWER!

The National Championship was the fifth for the Texas Longhorns, since the College World Series started in 1947, and the first under Head Coach Augie Garrido. The Longhorns won championships in 1949, 1950, 1975, and 1983. Garrido led teams at Cal-State Fullerton to the titles in 1979, 1984, and 1995. Garrido has been the winning CWS Coach in four separate decades.

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JOHN FRANCIS BUCK 1924 - 2002 "...I don't believe what I just saw!!"

A PERSONAL NOTE: Sportscaster Jack Buck passed away late Tuesday evening in a St. Louis hospital from general health complications which had developed over the past six months. If you are unfamiliar with Jack or his accomplishments, you can read the AP dispatch by writer R.B. Fallstrom, which ran in many papers, Wednesday.

I got to know Jack well in the 90's as a producer of CBS Monday Night Football and Baseball Game-of-the-Week. And, what an absolutely delightful human being with whom to work. He did his homework, both in AND outside the booth. In fact, I was astonished the first time I met him. It was an NFL Playoff game in Miami. On the way to the ballpark -- Hank in his usual "right front shotgun" seat, and Jack in the back, Jack said, "So, you're O'Connell, eh? ... from Austin, Texas, eh?...". "Yes, Sir," I replied, to which he said; "You know, O'Connell...Austin is one of five State Capitals which begins with the letter 'A' ... can ya' name 'em?"

And, so for the next half hour on the way to the ballpark, the conversation was NOT about the Dolphins, or whichever team they were playing that day, but rather the conversation was about Austin and St Louis and New Orleans and Augusta, Maine, and family. That was Jack Buck. He was a brilliant man, and we shall miss him greatly.

CAT OSTERMAN (UTSID)

SOFTBALL-- Texas Softballers completed their sixth season Saturday, May 18, at the NCAA Regional Tournament in Norman, Oklahoma. And while they didn't make the Women's College World Series, they finished 50-13 on the year -- the program's best. Pitcher Cat Osterman, the frosh lefty sensation from Houston was named to the Second Team of the NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) All America Team. Check out these stats: 36-8 on the year, with a 0.83 ERA, FIVE no-hitters, three of them PERFECT GAMES. Congrats!

This 'domain name' has been out of the Longhorn Family for a long time, but has been acquired and reestablished in Austin, Texas. (May 15, 2002) While we've been concentrating on getting the 'hardballers' to Omaha (it's was a great ride, eh?), we'd REALLY like some feedback and input on the site. Topics? Suggestions? Guest viewpoints? Let us hear from you. It should be a fun site, but not necessarily without polite criticism (probably more about the site than anything else!). The only "homer" you'll find here is the "four-bagger" variety.

GoHorns.com found an interesting news release from the UT Office of Public Affairs regarding the policies for an ORANGE TOWER, and a brief graph on how the tradition started. Click HERE for the release. It's got pictures, folks!

Some of the "links" (to the left) are under development, so check back for newer content. If you have ideas, please submit them at the e-mail link. All suggestions are welcomed.

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