OMAHA (Interstat) — The Texas Longhorns erupted for an offensive onslaught Monday afternoon and evening at Charles Schwab Field, defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide 14-2 in a playoff game that was never in doubt after the first inning. The Longhorns improved to 46-14 on the season, while the Crimson Tide dropped to 42-21.

Texas shortstop Adrian Rodriguez delivered a historic performance, going 5-for-5 with a home run and seven runs batted in. Left fielder Anthony Pack Jr. added a 3-for-5 effort with a home run and four RBIs. Starting pitcher Ruger Riojas worked six innings, allowing six hits and two earned runs while striking out seven to earn the win.

Alabama took a brief lead in the top of the first inning, scoring two runs without a hit, thanks to a walk and a stolen base by J. Lebron followed by an RBI single from L. Vaughn. But Texas answered immediately in the bottom half. After A. Robbins doubled and C. Tinney walked, E. Mendoza doubled for one run and then Rodriguez doubled for two more, putting Texas ahead 3-2.

The Longhorns broke the game open in the second inning. After a single by C. Borba and a sacrifice bunt, A. Pack Jr. singled to score Borba, then Mendoza singled to drive in Tinney. Rodriguez followed with a triple to left center that cleared the bases, making it 7-2. Alabama’s starter Z. Adams was lifted after 1 1/3 innings, and reliever Matthew Heiberger allowed no hits but three earned runs in four innings, his control issues inflating the deficit.

Alabama’s only other run came on a solo home run by J. Lemm in the fourth inning, cutting the lead to 7-3. But Texas put the game away in the sixth. After a hit-by-pitch to Robbins, Pack Jr. homered to left field. E. Mendoza then singled, stole second, and Rodriguez launched a two-run homer to right, making it 11-2.

The Longhorns added three more in the eighth inning, two of them unearned, to reach the final margin. Texas relievers Brody Walls, Ethan Walker and Cody Howard combined for three scoreless innings, allowing no hits and striking out four.

For Alabama, Lemm’s home run and Vaughn’s RBI single represented the team’s only runs. The Crimson Tide managed just six hits total, with no player recording more than one. Starter Matthew Heiberger took the loss despite not allowing a hit, as he walked five and allowed three earned runs in four innings. Relievers Hagan Banks and Myles Upchurch each allowed runs.

Rodriguez’s seven-RBI performance continued a torrid postseason stretch. In his previous three games, he had gone 2-for-3 against Georgia, 2-for-5 with two RBIs at Oregon, and 2-for-3 with five RBIs against Oregon. Monday’s five-hit game was his best of the season.

The teams had met three times earlier in the season in Austin, with Texas winning two of three: 10-2 on April 17, 3-1 on April 18, and Alabama winning 2-1 on April 19. Alabama entered the playoff after a 9-0 loss to Oklahoma in its previous game, while Texas had lost 7-1 to Georgia.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Texas 7, Alabama 6, and the ELO system gave Texas a 59.10 percent probability to win.