COLLEGE WORLD SERIES : Texas Routs Oklahoma, Faces Pepperdine

There were no elements of mystery when Texas played Oklahoma in the final first-round game of the College World Series on Saturday night.

Texas, making a record 26th series appearance, had defeated Oklahoma three times this season. The Longhorns continued their winning ways against the Sooners with a 15-3 victory before a record crowd of 19,772 at Rosenblatt Stadium.

Texas has won 14 of its last 15 games against Oklahoma, including all five between the schools in World Series play.

Texas (47-15) will play Pepperdine Monday at 4:30 p.m. PDT (ESPN, 9 p.m.) in a winner’s bracket game. Oklahoma (42-23) plays Wichita State in an elimination game.

“I saw part of Pepperdine’s game (against Wichita State) and was very impressed,” Texas Coach Cliff Gustafson said. “Their pitching was outstanding. . . . It’s going to be important for us to get ahead of them and not let them get to their closer (Steve Montgomery).”

Texas defeated Oklahoma behind the performance of All-American Brooks Kieschnick (11-2), a 6-4, 220-pound sophomore right-hander who gave up two runs and three hits in seven innings.

Kieschnick drove in a run with a ground out in the first inning and added a double and a two-run homer during a nine-run sixth that gave the Longhorns a 15-2 lead. It was the first time since 1962 that a pitcher earned a victory and homered in the same World Series game.

Braxton Hickman also homered and had four RBIs for the Longhorns, who collected 14 hits against six pitchers.

“It was one of those nights where I think I threw pretty good pitches and they still hit it,” said Oklahoma starter Casey Mendenhall (11-2), who gave up six runs in 4 2/3 innings.

Oklahoma’s Kevin Schula, who played at Placentia El Dorado High, hit a solo homer for the Sooners in the ninth inning.