With Texas on the brink of defeat on Saturday afternoon, Porter Brown’s heroics won the Longhorns yet another game.

Texas took the first game of the Super Regionals with a 7-5 victory, spurred by a five-run ninth inning. The Longhorns, who trailed for three straight innings late in the game, pulled through thanks to clutch hitting from redshirt junior left fielder Porter Brown.

Brown, who transferred from potential Omaha-bound TCU in the offseason, is known for his impressive hitting. He has had walk-offs in two separate Big 12 games, including a home run to win against West Virginia in what became the most important regular season series of the season. Brown’s skill set was again on full display in the postseason.

The left fielder stepped onto the plate in a situation players only dream of. Two outs, top of the ninth, bases loaded, a tied game. A hit would likely give the Longhorns a win, but an out might put Texas down 1–0 in the series. The veteran understood his assignment and delivered after a close call in favor of Brown. Giving him a 3-1 count, the left-fielder sent a ball into shallow left field, scoring both junior shortstop Mitch Daly and third baseman Peyton Powell. 

Brown’s single secured a two-run lead for the Longhorns, and from there, it was time for “The Nightmare.”

Redshirt junior closer Zane Morehouse entered the game, and nothing stopped him from securing the win. Not even Pac-12 Player of the Year Alberto Rios, who Morehouse struck out swinging. With two consecutive strikeouts, in came Stanford freshman catcher Malcolm Moore, who had already conceded a home run and three RBI without an out. Despite his best efforts, fouling off pitches and working the count, Morehouse embarrassed Moore, recording his third swinging strikeout of the inning and achieving a Longhorn win. 

Junior lefty Lucas Gordon, a usual ace, began the game for the ‘Horns, but the starter looked primed for a rare poor start after the first inning. Gordon got into trouble early, letting runners on first and second with one out. After a strikeout, Gordon walked two batters, allowing a run to score. Gordon had given up another run by the third inning due to a Moore double. Though he started off shaky, Gordon kept the Longhorns in it, pitching into the sixth inning before being replaced by junior Charlie Hurley. Despite his stat line, seven hits and four walks with three earned runs, Gordon’s ability to keep the Cardinal at bay was huge for the Longhorns.

Senior Eric Kennedy was the Longhorns’ only offense of the first eight innings. With Porter Brown on base, Kennedy launched a ball deep and over the fence, tying the game and giving Texas hope after a lazy four innings. For the game’s first eight innings, Kennedy’s offense was the sole factor keeping Texas alive.  

Texas’ comeback win also came from the contributions of the Longhorn faithful. Despite the 1,700-mile flight from Austin, Texas, and not having a Super Regional at home, fans were loud and proud as their team rallied back three runs. Texas made itself heard in Stanford’s home stadium; as Brown hit his two-RBI single, Klein Field roared with the sound of hundreds of Longhorns who watched Texas win game one.

With Texas up 1–0 in the series, the Longhorns only need one more win to secure their ticket to Omaha. Redshirt sophomore Lebarron Johnson Jr. will start on the mound for the Longhorns as they take on Stanford this Sunday.