No. 1 Baseball preview: Texas State

#1 TEXAS vs. TEXAS STATE

Date: April 22, 2025

The place: Bobcat Ballpark

Time: 6 p.m.

TV: SEC Community+

Radio: The Zone AM-1300/103.1 FM

Reside stats: texas.statbroadcast.com

PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUP

TUESDAY – Texas RHP Grayson Saunier (0-0, 3.00 ERA) vs. Texas State RHP Austin Eaton (2-2, 7.25 ERA)

THE MATCHUP — For the lone time in midweek motion, the Longhorns hit the street, touring 31 miles to Texas State. Texas boasts a 56-17 ledger towards the Bobcats within the all-time sequence.

SCORCHING START — In its inaugural marketing campaign beneath head coach Jim Schlossnagle, Texas is off to its finest 38-game begin since 2004. After an extra-inning loss on Opening Day, the Longhorns rattled off 17 straight victories from Feb. 15 – March 16. The 17-game profitable streak marked the longest because the program gained 21 in a row in 2010.

THE EYES OF TEXAS ARE UPON YOU — For the second straight week, Texas checked in because the consensus No. 1 crew within the nation. The Longhorns are slotted as the highest crew nationally in back-to-back weeks for the primary time in three years. Texas climbed the rankings for 9 straight weeks, because the Longhorns started the yr at No. 19, in keeping with D1Baseball.

IT JUST MEANS MORE — Texas is considered one of three packages to begin 16-2 or higher since 1996 when the 30-game SEC schedule, becoming a member of 2013 Vanderbilt (16-2) and 2022 Tennessee (17-1). The Longhorns’ 16-2 file in SEC motion marks their finest begin to convention play in 15 years. With a sweep over Mississippi State at Dudy Noble Subject, Texas grew to become the primary SEC crew to notch a sweep within the college’s first-ever convention street sequence since 1992. The Longhorns’ win over LSU was their first sequence victory over a top-2 crew since March 1-3, 2019. In the meantime, with a 4-3 walk-off win over Georgia, Texas accomplished its first sweep towards a top-3 opponent since that very same weekend with LSU in 2019. The Longhorns are the lone program to have gained all six of their sequence in SEC play. Final yr, a file 11 SEC groups earned NCAA Event bids. The SEC has gained every of the final 5 nationwide championships — all by 5 totally different packages.

MASTERING MIDWEEKS — Texas is 6-2 in midweek video games. Ten of the Longhorns’ 11 midweek contests will probably be at UFCU Disch-Falk Subject. Since 2020, Jim Schlossnagle‘s golf equipment have posted a 49-10 (.831) ledger in midweeks, posting wins in 21 of the final 23 video games.

NEW ERA, SAME STANDARD — A 24-year head teaching veteran who was twice tabbed Nationwide Coach of the 12 months and led his crew to the Faculty World Collection seven occasions, Jim Schlossnagle was named solely the sixth Longhorns head baseball coach since 1911. Schlossnagle’s six CWS appearances within the final 10 seasons are tied for essentially the most of any coach, whereas his 50 NCAA Event wins throughout that stretch are the perfect of any skipper. As of April 21, the ABCA Corridor of Famer ranks tenth amongst winningest lively Division I coaches, amassing a 979-460 (.680) file.

OOH, BARRACUDA — After splitting time behind the plate a yr in the past, Rylan Galvan has solidified himself as Texas’ on a regular basis catcher in 2025. Amongst SEC hitters, Galvan sits fourth in OPS (1.224), sixth in slugging (.727) and seventh in OBP (.497). The junior leads the Longhorns in every respective class, whereas additionally being tied for the membership lead in runs (38) and homers (11). Galvan is averaging a homer as soon as each 10 at-bats. The 6-foot, 215-pound backstop is driving a 30-game on-base streak. Throughout that stretch, he has totaled a team-high .366 common and 11 blasts, posting 31 RBI. Within the Longhorns’ sweep of No. 3 Georgia, Galvan punctuated the sequence with a walk-off solo shot to carry the Longhorns to a 4-3 victory. His game-winning swing marked Texas’ first walk-off homer since Garret Guillemette on March 26, 2023.

HUM YOU, DV — Left-hander Dylan Volantis has made a reputation for himself in his freshman marketing campaign. The 6-foot-6, 212-pound hurler’s 1.05 ERA leads all SEC hurlers (min. 34 inn.). Volantis has yielded solely 4 earned runs in 34 1/3 innings. The Thousand Oaks, Calif., native has notched a 3-0 ledger with 9 saves, which is tied for the fifth-most nationally. Over his final 14 outings, Volantis has allowed simply two earned runs throughout 32 1/3 innings. In league play, the rookie has allowed one run over 19 1/3 frames. Volantis has posted a 1-0 mark with eight saves, whereas issuing solely two walks and 30 strikeouts over his first 11 SEC appearances. He has been named SEC Freshman of the Week twice since March 24.

WELCOME HOME, DOZA — A lifelong Longhorn fan, second baseman Ethan Mendoza transferred to The Forty Acres after one season at Arizona State. In his first marketing campaign in burnt orange, Mendoza has totaled a .347/.455/.497 slash line. Heading into the weekend, Mendoza paces Texas in common, hits (51), triples (3) and multi-hit performances (18), whereas additionally tying for the membership lead in runs (38). The 5-foot-10, 185-pound second baseman homered 4 occasions in his first 34 at-bats, after hammering solely three blasts in 203 at-bats a yr in the past. Previous to the Longhorns’ sequence towards then-No. 2 LSU, Mendoza strung collectively a 14-game hitting streak, mounting 9 multi-hit efforts alongside the best way. Throughout that run, the sophomore hit a team-high .456 with 4 homers and 15 RBI. 

ALL GAS, NO BRAKES — Sophomore Will Gasparino has emerged as a compelled to be reckoned with for the Longhorns. By 38 contests, the 6-foot-6, 225-pound slugger is batting .279 with 11 homers and team-best 43 RBI. Throughout Texas’ 4-0 week towards Sam Houston and Missouri, the middle fielder registered a .533/.588/1.600 slash line, leaving the yard in three of the 4 wins. Within the sequence opener at Missouri on March 28, Gasparino socked a pair of three-run blasts and drove in eight runs, turning into simply the third Longhorn with eight RBI in a sport since 2008, matching Brandon Belt (2008) and Porter Brown (2023). Following his historic week, Gasparino was named SEC Participant of the Week on March 31 and the Dick Howser Trophy Nationwide Co-Hitter of the Week on April 1. Heading into the midweek, he’s driving a 31-game on-base streak. Over that stretch, Gasparino has launched 9 homers. 

SUPER MAX — One yr after rising because the Longhorns’ ace, right-handed pitcher Max Grubbs has shifted right into a key bullpen arm for Texas. In 2024, Grubbs made 18 appearances, incomes 12 begins in an All-Massive 12 Honorable Point out worthy marketing campaign. Throughout his first 12 outings this season, Grubbs has allowed solely six runs over 36 innings. The junior’s 1.50 ERA is third amongst all SEC hurlers (min. 34 inn.), trailing solely teammate Dylan Volantis (1.05) and LSU’s Zac Cowan (1.21). Grubbs has restricted opposing hitters to a .217 common, recording a 6-0 ledger and 4 saves. In every of his final 9 appearances, Grubbs has earned both a win or a save.

MUSTACHE YOU A QUESTION — After solely making two begins throughout his first three years at Texas, redshirt junior Luke Harrison has develop into a stalwart for the Longhorns within the rotation. As a freshman in 2022, Harrison made a team-high 32 appearances, registering a 3.06 ERA and two saves. Over the following two seasons, the left-hander would solely pitch in 13 video games, after lacking the 2023 marketing campaign on account of damage. This yr, Harrison has posted a 3-0 ledger and a 2.98 ERA. As of April 21, the 6-foot-2, 215-pound hurler sits sixth within the SEC in ERA (min. 1.0 IP/G). In 2025, Texas is 10-0 when Harrison attracts the beginning.

SWISS ARMY KNIFE — Proper-hander Ruger Riojas’ glove says it completely: ‘SAY WHEN.’ Riojas — who joined this system after two years at UTSA — has finished slightly little bit of every part for the Longhorns on the mound. General, the 6-foot, 192-pound hurler is 7-1 with a 3.35 ERA over a 12 appearances, together with 4 begins. As of April 21, Riojas is tied for eighth nationally in wins. In his 5 begins, the Wimberley, Texas, native has notched a 2.86 ERA throughout 28 1/3 innings. At Missouri, Riojas pitched a career-long seven shutout frames. He confronted one batter over the minimal, retiring 16 of the primary 17 Tigers. On March 31, he was tabbed SEC Co-Pitcher of the Week.

GOING WITH THE FLO — A consensus All-American a yr in the past, Jalin Flores cemented himself as the most effective shortstops nationally. Flores paced the Longhorns in doubles (22), RBI (56) and hit by pitches (10), whereas additionally tying for the membership lead in homers (18), complete bases (158), multi-hit video games (26). In 2025, Flores ranks second within the SEC in doubles (16), trailing solely Florida’s Colby Shelton (19). The 6-foot-2, 210-pound slugger is tied for the eighth-most profession residence runs (31) in program historical past, matching Eric Kennedy (2019-23) and Drew Stubbs (2004-06).

NEW KID ON THE BLOCK — Third baseman Adrian Rodriguez has burst onto the school baseball scene. Rodriguez left the yard in two of his first three profession video games, highlighted by a go-ahead solo shot towards Louisville within the tenth inning on Opening Day. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound change hitter started his freshman marketing campaign with an 11-game on-base streak, posting a .404 common over that stretch. On the Las Vegas Traditional, Rodriguez was the lone rookie tabbed to the All-Event Group.

LONG HAIR, DON’T CARE — Southpaw Jared Spencer was chosen within the 14th spherical of the 2024 MLB First-12 months Participant Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies, however elected to switch to Texas as an alternative. Regardless of making 59 appearances in three years at Indiana State, Spencer arrived on The Forty Acres with solely 11 collegiate begins beneath his belt. Because the Longhorns’ ace, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound hurler has staked his declare as one of many high arms within the SEC. Towards then-No. 3 Georgia, he struck out a career-high 11 batters within the longest outing throughout his time as a collegian, tossing 7 2/3 innings. Spencer restricted the Bulldogs to a season-low one run on two hits in a 111-pitch effort, turning into the primary Longhorn to pitch into the eighth this yr.

MAX POWER — Junior Max Belyeu entered 2025 as one of the vital prolific hitters within the nation. Belyeu brings his massive bat again to the center of Texas’ lineup after pacing the membership in slugging (.667), OPS (1.090) and multi-RBI performances (15), whereas matching the crew lead in residence runs (18). The outfielder totaled a .329 common and drove in 53 RBI, incomes Massive 12 Participant of the 12 months honors final season. This yr, Belyeu has reached safely in 23 of his 24 video games performed, slashing .358/.465/.642 with six homers and 22 RBI. The 2024 Second Group All-American has been sidelined with a thumb damage since March 29.

PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE — All through his time as a head coach, Jim Schlossnagle‘s groups have been touted as a few of the finest offensive items nationally. On the forefront of their strategy, Schlossnagle’s golf equipment have been recognized for working prolonged at-bats. During the last 4 full seasons, Schlossnagle’s squad has led the nation in pitches per plate look. As of April 21, Texas (4.07) is tied with Notre Dame for first nationally in that class.

DOMINATE THE ZONE — Beneath first-year pitching coach Max Weiner, the Longhorns have adopted the identification of ‘Dominate the Zone.’ Weiner places an emphasis on total strike share, profitable the 0-0 and 1-1 counts, and maximizing strikeout-to-walk ratio. Throughout its first 38 video games, Texas has thrown 64 p.c of its pitches for strikes, whereas totaling a 61 p.c clip in 0-0 counts and a 64 p.c mark in 1-1 counts. The Longhorns additionally boast a 2.8 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Because of this, Texas has lowered its ERA by almost two runs. The Longhorns lead the nation in hits allowed per 9 innings (6.82), whereas rating second in ERA (2.94) and WHIP (1.13).

SCORING IN BUNCHES — Extensively-regarded as one of many nation’s finest offenses heading into 2025, Texas has proven its potential to place crooked numbers on the scoreboard. The Longhorns scored at the very least seven runs in an inning on six totally different events over their first 11 contests, highlighted by a season-high nine-spot towards Illinois on March 2. Texas has notched double-digit runs 12 occasions, tallying six run-rule victories over Ole Miss (Feb. 15), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (March 4), Sam Houston (March 25), Missouri (March 28) and Houston Christian (April 10) and Auburn (April 19).

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS…AGAIN — After profitable the Shriners Youngsters’s Faculty Showdown opening weekend, Texas doubled down by claiming the Las Vegas Faculty Baseball Traditional crown on March 2. The Longhorns swept the sphere in Sin Metropolis, scoring 35 runs throughout the three-day occasion. In its first sport, Texas used a seven-run sixth to outlast Washington, 10-9. The Longhorns moved to 2-0 on the weekend with a 10-5 victory over longtime rival Texas Tech. Texas earned the championship belt by scoring 14 unanswered runs, together with a season-best nine-spot within the sixth to finest Illinois, 15-6. OF Max Belyeu, IF Jalin Flores, IF Ethan Mendoza, LHP Jared Spencer, RHP Max Grubbs and IF Adrian Rodriguez all earned a spot on the All-Event Group, with Flores garnering MVP honors.

traDISCHion UNLIKE ANY OTHER — The Longhorns will honor their historical past all through the 2025 season, as a part of the Saturday traDISCHion sequence at UFCU Disch-Falk Subject. For the fourth consecutive marketing campaign, Texas is celebrating previous greats on choose Saturdays. The Longhorns will salute Calvin Schiraldi on March 8, earlier than recognizing Roger Clemens on March 22. Two weeks later, Texas will commemorate the 1975 nationwide championship crew on April 5. Corey Knebel is ready to be honored on April 19 and Brooks Kieschnick is slated to be celebrated on April 26. The ultimate traDISCHion Saturday of 2025 will function the 2005 nationwide championship crew on Could 10.  

OWN THE DISCH — Since UFCU Disch-Falk Subject opened in 1975, Texas has gone 1,652-423-3 (.796) at residence thanks largely to Longhorn Nation. In 2025, Texas has drawn 161,836 followers at residence, together with a season-best 7,378 followers towards UTSA on March 18. Apart from the 2021 marketing campaign due to restricted capability as a result of COVID-19 pandemic, the Longhorns led the Massive 12 in attendance for 16 consecutive seasons. Final yr, Texas averaged 7,476 followers per sport, the fifth-highest common attendance within the nation.

A LOOK AT THE LONGHORNS — Final season, Texas made its 63rd NCAA Event look, incomes a spot within the Faculty Station Regional. The Longhorns convey again 18 gamers from the 2024 crew and add 23 newcomers. 5 of the Horns’ every-day starters return, with OF Max Belyeu, INF Jalin Flores C Rylan Galvan, OF Will Gasparino and C/1B Kimble Schuessler headlining the squad.

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT OMAHA — The winningest NCAA Division I school baseball program of all time has develop into very acquainted with the eating places in Omaha, Neb. Texas holds the file for many appearances within the Faculty World Collection (38), most particular person CWS video games gained (88), most total NCAA Event video games gained (258) and most NCAA Event appearances (63). The Longhorns have gained six nationwide championships, trailing solely USC (12) and LSU (7).

HEAR ‘EM — In partnership with Learfield IMG Faculty, Texas video games will probably be broadcast on the Longhorn Radio Community, totally on AM-1300 The Zone. Craig Approach handles main play-by-play duties alongside Roger Wallace, David Saltzman and Cameron Parker. This season, followers may even hear evaluation from Longhorn legend and 12-year MLB veteran Keith Moreland and former second-round choose Mike Hardge.