This 1987 College World Series Game 3 was played on May 30th between the Texas Longhorns under Coach Cliff Gustafson verses the Arkansas Razorbacks under Coach Norm DeBryin. The Longhorns came into this game with a 58 – 9 season record….after winning the SWC Title for the 9th straight time with a record of 18 – 3….while the Razorbacks entered the contest with a 50 – 14 – 1 season record….and placing 2nd in the SWC with a 17 – 4 record.
The Horns were led by C Bryan Johnson, DH Scott Bryant, 3b Scott Coolbaugh, OF Brian Cisarik (All American), P Mark Petkovsek, P Kevin Garner, SS Koby Kerlin, 1B Lenny Bell, OF Rusty Crockett, 2B Todd Haney and CF Elanis Westbrook…..whereas the Razorbacks were led by All American C Andy Skeele, DH Troy Ekland, 2B Kelly Zane, P Ray Harris, SS Mike Sisco, CF Rod Moore, RF Scott Pose, 3B Cam Thomas, P John Cebuhar and 1B Jim Kremers.
Arkansas was 51-16 in 1987….after finishing in fifth place at the CWS…..after the Hogs finished second in both the SWC regular season and SWC postseason tournament….then they won the South Regional played in Huntsville, Alabama….by defeating Middle Tennessee, West Virginia, and Clemson (twice) in order to play in Omaha.
Texas, who Arkansas had gone a lowly 1-4 against during the season….and now was ranked #1 nationally was the Hogs first game in a Rosenblatt Stadium showdown….as the Longhorns defeated Arkansas by a score of 13 – 6….after which Arkansas rebounded with a win against Georgia….while eliminating the Bulldogs from CWS competition….then they defeated another future SEC opponent in the Tigers from LSU.
The 3rd and 4th inning of this game was highlighted by a back and forth contest with the score tied at 4 – 4 in the top of the 3rd inning….after both teams starting pitchers were replaced in the 2nd inning of this game. Texas would take the lead 5 – 4 on a Brian Cisarik double….but the Hogs would come back in the 4th inning on a 2-run single by the Hogs OF Jim Kramer to take the lead 6 – 5 at the end of the 4th inning as seen in this video herewith.
