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The Texas Longhorns are the 2005 College World Series champions after beating the Florida Gators 6-2 on Sunday. This marks the second championship for Texas in the last 3 years, and the sixth title in school history, dating back to 1949. The Longhorns, who lost in the College World Series to Cal State Fullterton last year, dominated the Gators today. Their winning performance was fueled by a strong outing from starting pitcher Kyle McCulloch. The 6'3" sophomore from Houston went 6 2/3 innings and gave 2 earned runs on 5 hits. He struck out 8 while walking only one.

The Longhorns offense was ignited by the bats of third baseman David Maroul, first baseman Chance Wheeless, and catcher Taylor Teagarden. Maroul and Wheeless both blasted home runs in the Longhorns' game-breaking four-run sixth inning. Wheeless sent a pitch from Florida starter Bryan Ball over the left field fence with the bases empty. Teagarden then doubled off reliever Connor Falkenbach to keep the rally going. After Falkenbach surrendered a walk, Maroul, who was named the series MVP for his outstanding play over the course of five games, made him pay for the mistake by knocking one out of the park to pad the Texas lead to 6-0.

With the victory today, and Saturday's 4-2 win behind a strong seven-inning effort from redshirt freshman pitcher Adrian Alaniz, the Longhorns swept the College World Series and took home the National Championship. The College World Series follows a best-of-three format.

Florida came right back in the seventh inning with some offense of their own. Third baseman Brandon McArthur reached base on an infield single, and then right fielder Bryan Leclerc played some long ball of his own. The sophomore from Clearwater, Florida sent a drive over the fence to put the Gators on the board. The Gators also threatened in the eighth when they had runners on first and third with only one out. But Texas junior J. Brent Cox came on in relief of McCulloch and got the Longhorns out of the jam.

Texas coach Augie Garrido, Jr. is the all-time winningest coach in the history of NCAA Division I baseball. He has taken the Longhorns to the College World Series five times in the last six years, and has a second- and third-place finish to go along with the two National Championships. Florida is coached by Pat McMahon, who has been at the helm for 4 years. Both teams feature strong rosters with many underclassmen who will be returning to the diamond next year, so there's a good chance we will see a rematch in 2006.

The College World Series has been played every year in Omaha, Nebraska for more than half a century. The series is one of Omaha's biggest tourist attractions, and draws more than 200,000 fans over a the course of the tournament. The College World Series features 8 teams and follows a double-elimination format until only two teams remain. Those two remaining teams then compete in the best-of-three final series.