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Troy Claunch, Texas A&M catcher, delivers 406-foot 11th inning walk-off HR after midnight

By Keith Farner

Published: Apr 8, 2022 · 9:22 AM EDT

Troy Claunch set off a celebration on Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park early Friday morning, as he launched a 2-2 pitch well beyond the right-centerfield wall to knock off Kentucky in walk-off fashion, 3-2.

With an exit velocity of 103 miles per hour, Claunch capped an incredible night at the plate when he went 3-for-4 with a run, 3 RBI and the home run, which came in the 11th inning. It was a special moment for Claunch, even beyond the dramatic finish.

“I have never done it. This is the first walk-off home run in my life,” he said. “Feels good especially because these guys in this dugout have been giving me a hard time about not having a home run so for that to be my first home run of the season felt really good.”

Coach Jim Schlossnagle offered his thoughts on the win.

“I thought this was a great ball game. I thought their guy [Sean] Harney was outstanding, just really good. I thought our guys made pitches, and super excited about the direction [Joseph] Menefee is going. That is two back-to-back starts in a row where [Nathan] Dettmer pitched us in the sixth or seventh inning. We needed that win. We have lost some close ones, this time last week we won three-to-two. I just thought it was a great college baseball game.”