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Texas remains undefeated by beating Nevada, advances to US title game

By Chris Masse 4 min read

A closer look at the 5-2 Boerne, Texas win over Henderson, Nevada, Wednesday at Lamade Stadium.

PLAY OF THE GAME -- Gage Steubing's second inning catch: It gets lost in what happened later in the game, but Steubing reading Parker Soranaka's flyball and recording the third out in the second inning was a huge play. Nevada had scored twice to tie the game, 2-2 and had the bases loaded. If Steubing does not make that catch, Nevada likely scores two runs and keeps the inning going. The catch was part of Texas stranding seven baserunners in the first three innings and helped point the way to victory.

TEXAS PLAYER OF THE GAME -- Gray Collins: Collins edges out Cooper Hastings who pitched and hit well. Collins went 2 for 2 and was involved in both Texas run-scoring innings. He hit a first-inning single and scored on Doc Mogford's RBI single. Two innings later, Collins came through with two hits, hitting an RBI double. He also played good defense in right field. Hastings hit two sacrifice flies and was brilliant in relief, throwing four scoreless innings.

NEVADA PLAYER OF THE GAME -- Gunner Beranek: Providing consistent production from the No. 12 spot, Beranek continued his strong tournament, going 1 for 2 with an RBI single. His two-out infield single tied the game 2-2 in the second inning. Beranek also kept providing Nevada excellent defense.

BIG INNING--Texas third: Nevada had fought back from a 2-2 deficit to tie the game, but Texas reliever Cooper Hastings stranded two runners in the third to keep it tied before the Southwest champions took control and scored three runs in the bottom of the inning. Gabe Steubing had a big day, going 2 for 2 with a triple and his one-out single ignited the game-chancing rally. Ben Burkhart reached on a bunt and Julian Hurst singled before a run scored on an error. Collins then came through in the clutch, scorching an RBI double down the left field line. Hastings followed with his second sacrifice fly.

BEST EFFORT--Cooper Hastings relief pitching: He did not overpower Nevada, but Hastings pounded the strike zone, worked ahead and did all the right things to help stifle a dangerous offense. Entering in a 2-2 game, Hastings threw four scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and striking out two. He surrendered just two base runners and retired the final eight batters he faced. Hastings grew stronger as the game progressed and did not give up a hit after the third inning.

FLASHING LEATHER--Texas shortstop Jett Matthews continued adding to his Series-long highlight reel in the second inning. This time, he ran into the hole between shortstop and second base to stop a Parker Soranaka grounder before wheeling and making a snap throw to first and taking a potential hit away. It was an especially huge play because the next four batters reached base. Nevada tied the game, 2-2, so if Matthews does not make his nifty play, Texas would have been trailing entering the bottom of the second. An inning later, Texas third baseman Dylan Burke made a highlight play when he stumbled but stayed with a hard-hit Russell McGee grounder. Without missing a step, Burke planted his feet and made a strong throw to just beat the speedy McGee. Nevada worked the situation well in the bottom of the fourth when first baseman Oliver Johnson ran and fielded a grounder. Pitcher Noah Letalu immediately broke for first on contact and covered the base, beating the runner by a step for an inning ending out.

WHAT THE ADULTS SAY--"There's some frustration right now, but I hope they look at it and say you were just a couple hits away," Nevada manager Adam Johnson said. "At this at the end of the day this is an opportunity for us to keep playing, so they have to believe in each other still because that's what got us here."

"They have a great defensive team and they don't make mistakes," Texas manager Justin Newson said. "They are extremely well coached. It was all hands on deck and we were doing whatever we had to do to try and win the game."

WHAT THE KIDS SAY--"I like to be in that situation. Just to be in that situation is really cool," Mogford said after continuing to excel in RBI situations. "You also have a lot of people cheering you on and people wanting you do to good stuff."

WHAT IT MEANS--Texas is headed to Saturday's U.S. Championship and is a win from reaching the world final. The Southwest champions remain undefeated this summer. Nevada could earn a rematch against Texas if it defeats the winner of Wednesday's Florida-Hawaii game Thursday night.

Starting at /week.