Louisiana-Lafayette Wins Game That Ends With Epic Bat Flip [VIDEO]

HOUSTON (AP) — Tyler Girouard was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the ninth to bring home the winning run in Louisiana-Lafayette's 2-1 victory over Houston on Sunday in NCAA regional play.

Louisiana-Lafayette (41-21) advanced to the championship game Monday, while Houston (43-19) will play Rice on Sunday night for a spot against the Ragin' Cajuns on Monday.

Dylan Butler walked to start the ninth and advanced to second on Blake Trahan's sacrifice. Joe Robbins reached on a throwing error, and Kyle Clement's suicide squeeze scored Butler. After Stefan Trosclair reached on an infield single to load the bases, Aaron Fletcher (2-1) hit Girouard to bring in Robbins with the winning run.

Chris Iriart put Houston on top 1-0 with a home run to left field in the first.

The loss spoiled a brilliant outing by Seth Romero, who retired 22 of the first 23 batters he faced before Evan Powell's two-out single in the eighth broke up the no-hitter. The left-hander walked Greg Davis following Powell's hit, but struck out Nick Thurman to end the inning.

Romero pitched into the ninth, allowing unearned run and one hit with eight strikeouts and three walks

Romero retired the first 13 batters before Girouard walked with one out in the fifth, but Girouard was caught stealing two pitches later.

Gunner Leger allowed one run on five hits with four strikeouts in six innings. Leger retired 12 straight following Montemayor's hit by pitch before Iriart's one-out single in the sixth. Greg Milhorn (5-1) threw three scoreless innings in relief of Leger.