The #13 Texas Longhorns defeated the Indiana Hoosiers by a score of 3-2 in the Austin Regional to advance to the Super Regionals. The Hoosiers gave the Longhorns a scare in the bottom of the ninth but their season ended, marred by a very questionable call.
Indiana had the bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the ninth, the tying run 90 feet away. Indiana outfielder stepped up to bad and fell into an 0-2 hole against Texas pitcher Chase Shugart. On the third pitch, Shugart tried to get the batter to chase, and zipped a pitch that sailed over the line of the right-handed batters box. Crail didn’t swing, but the ump sent him packing. Shugart would strike out the following batter to end the game and eliminate the Hoosiers.
This is not a strike.
Come on. This is inexcusable at little league even. And this is a season-changing moment. pic.twitter.com/CSEuF0meFS
— Matt Clapp (@TheBlogfines) June 4, 2018
The post drummed up some equally absurd ump calls over the years.
Shades of 1997 pic.twitter.com/7ygubYzC8D
— Freezing Cold Takes (@OldTakesExposed) June 4, 2018
— Jason Noland (@jnoland22) June 4, 2018
That ump looks familiar. pic.twitter.com/RvvbuaA11G
— Joe Manniello (@joe_manniello) June 4, 2018
It should be noted that Texas fell victim to a questionable call as well on the very next plate appearance. Check it out below:
Catch or no catch??
Umps say Texas LF Masen Hibbeler didn't finish the catch on this foul ball vs Indiana for the final out of the game
Hibbeler clearly not happy about the call… pic.twitter.com/SQGz9ISsCC
— Patrick Moore (@patrickmoore_) June 4, 2018
What’s done is done. Texas will take on the winner of the Oxford Regional.
[h/t For The Win]