PLAYS OF THE GAME– Easton Ondruch’s absolute dime and Dalyn Martin’s incredible game-ending play: This game was absolutely incredible and filled with amazing plays by both teams, so we need more than one play here. Both saved the day for Texas. Before earning the win and dazzling in relief, Ondruch made an increible play which helped force extra innings. The player who also drove in the game-winning run with a ninth-inning sacrifice fly made the throw of the Series to continue his Series of defensive gems in center field. Washington had runners on first and second with one out when Brett Taylor ripped a single into center field.

It looked like Washington was about to take the lead with that hit, but Ondruch had other ideas and delivered the best of his many super plays this summer. Ondruch scooped the ball on the run and from the middle of center field threw a laser which hit catcher DJ Jablonski in the letter and allowed him to make a quick tag for the out. Easton Benje closed the inning with a strikeout and the scoreless battle continued.

Martin then created his own personal highlight, one which would make Ozzie Smith blush. Washington had the winning runners on second and third with two outs in the ninth inning when Campbell Foster hit a ball up the middle. Simply making the stop was impressive because it prevented two runs from scoring. But Martin then made it one of the best Series plays in the last decade, when he hopped up, wheeled and made a perfect throw which beat Foster by a step and concluded possibly the best low-scoring Series game since Kentucky defeated Texas, 2-1 in 11 innings at the 2002 Series.

TEXAS PLAYER OF THE GAME — Easton Ondruch: This was a day to remember for Ondruch who shined in all facets. He made one of the game’s biggest plays in center field before moving to pitcher and excelling under pressure there. Ondruch also hit a sacrifice fly to drive in the game’s lone run and threw 2 2/3 innings of one-hit baseball while striking out five. Ondruch has stranded the game-tying and game-winning runs in his last two appearances, earning both a save and a win.

5 and 14 MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Texas Jagger McRae and Corbin Riddle celebrate their 9 inning win over Washington Wednesday.

WASHINGTON PLAYER OF THE GAME — Larson Eng: It’s hard to pitch much better than Eng has in his last two outings. After throwing 2 1/3 perfect innings of relief against Tennessee, Eng threw 5 1/3 scoreless innings Wednesday. He struck out nine and never wavered, leaving two runners on three times. Eng has not allowed a run in eight innings at the Series and he also reached base all three times, going 1 for 1 with two walks, while making a super play at shortstop.

BIG INNING–Texas ninth: The only inning to produce a run, Texas played some small ball to generate it. With the automatic runner, Corbin Riddle, at second, Jagger McRae dropped a perfect bunt single up the third-base line which moved Riddle to third. Following an intentional walk to DJ Jablonski, Ondruch hit a flyball into right field which brought Riddle in and broke the tie.

BEST EFFORT–Everybody who played: For a 1-0 contest, this game had enough highlights to fill a 30-minute show. The defense was remarkable and the way six different pitchers fought through pressure situations was a tribute to both teams. Texas starter Easton Benge dominated, throwing 6 1/3 innings of three-hit baseball, while striking out nine. Brooks Shewey struck out the side in the seventh inning after entering with the bases loaded and no outs. He fell behind the first batter 3-0 before throwing strikes on nine of the next 10 pitches.

FLASHING LEATHER–Texas center fielder Easton Ondruch continued making difficult catches look easy in the first inning. After making some big plays against California in the previous game, Ondruch made a running catch in the left-center gap in the bottom of the first, taking a potential hit from Trey Kirchoff. Texas shortstop Dalyn Martin continued his strong Series when he fielded a tricky grounder in the second and made a strong throw to first which ended a Washington threat and stranded two runners. Rylan Jackson came up huge for Washington in the fourth inning.

Corbin Riddle scorched a single down the left field line and tried stretching it into a double. Jackson, though, made a perfect throw which hit the cut-off man chest high and cut him down. Jagger McRae was hit by a pitch a batter later, so without Jackson’s throw, there would have been two on with no outs.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Texas starting pitcher Easton Benge is hugged by Manager Andy McCrae after reaching the maximum pitch count and had to leave the game in the seventh inning.

He started the game at second base, but Trey Kirchoff moved to center field and there the Washington standout made one of the Series best plays in center field. Texas loaded the bases with two outs in the sixth inning. When Dalyn Martin slammed a ball into deep center field it looked like the game might be over. Kirchoff, however, raced back and perfectly read the ball. As the ball headed toward the wall, Kirchoff jumped high and made a spectacular runing catch.

WHAT THE ADULTS SAY– “It was a gorgeous throw. Easton didn’t charge that the way I kind of wanted him, too, and I was like, ‘Oh no,’ and then he just unleashed it, and I was like, ‘Wow!,” Texas manager Andy McRae said. “To throw that far and on a perfect line to a perfect spot, that’s one in a lifetime kind of moments you’ll remember.”

“I’m going to give all the credit to the guys in the other dugout because they scored more run than we did, but I’m super proud of how we did it,” Washington manager Christian Shewey said. “It was a well-played game.”

WHAT THE KIDS SAY–“I didn’t even realize I got him out until I saw everyone cheering,” Martin said of his game-ending play. “I finally contributed to that game. It made me feel a lot happier. I was nervous the whole game and I was just happy the game was over.”

WHAT IT MEANS– Texas advances to Saturday’s U.S. Final and is one win from capturing a national championship. The Southwest champions have won four straight hard-fought games at the Series. Washington can earn a rematch against Texas in Saturday’s game if it wins tomorrow’s game. Washington will play the winner of Wednesday night’s California-Tennessee game which ended after press time.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Washington pitcher Brooks Shewey celebrates after forcing Texas into extra innings.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Texas second baseman Jakolby White throws to first base for an out.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Washington Trey Kirfchoff celebrates after robbing Texas Nolan Chang, right, of a hit and saving a run from scoring in the sixth inning.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Texas Jayson Arispe is tagged out by Washington third baseman Brett Taylor in the fifth inning.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Texas Heath Filipp lays down a bunt in the fifth inning.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Washington Larson Eng is tagged out at home by Texas catcher DJ Jablonski in the fifth inning.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Texas second basemamn Jakolby White chases down a ground ball on a single by Washington's Trey Kirhoff in the fourth inning.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Washington second baseman Calvin Shumway applies the tag on Texas Corbin Riddle as Riddle tries to stretch a single into a double in the fourth inning.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Texas' DJ Jablonski safely steals second base as Washington short stop Sam Santow reaches for the throw while second base umpire Gregory Wright makes the call in the first inning.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Texas starting pitcher Easton Benge

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Washington second baseman Trey Kirchoff tries to get control of a fast ground ball on a single by Texas' Brooks Shewey in the first inning.