The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Auburn
No. 1 Baseball preview: No. 8 Auburn
04.16.2025 | Baseball
Longhorns meet Tigers for first time in nearly 30 years
#8 AUBURN vs. #1 TEXAS
April 17-19, 2025
Where: UFCU Disch-Falk Field
Time: Thursday at 7 p.m.; Friday at 6 p.m.; Saturday at 2 p.m.
TV: SEC Network+
Radio: The Zone AM-1300/103.1 FM
Live stats: texas.statbroadcast.com
PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS
THURSDAY – Auburn RHP Samuel Dutton (5-2, 2.34 ERA) vs. Texas LHP Jared Spencer (4-1, 3.08 ERA)
FRIDAY – Auburn LHP Cade Fisher (1-0, 3.91 ERA) vs. Texas LHP Luke Harrison (2-0, 2.92 ERA)
SATURDAY – Auburn RHP Andreas Alvarez (1-0, 6.43 ERA) vs. Texas RHP Ruger Riojas (7-1, 3.34 ERA)
THE MATCHUP — For the first time in nearly 30 years, the Texas Longhorns face off against the Auburn Tigers on the diamond. Texas and Auburn have met just three times, most recently squaring off in the semifinals of the 1995 Midwest II Regional. However, this weekend marks the first head-to-head contest between the two sides in Austin since a doubleheader on April 22, 1912.
SCORCHING START — In its inaugural campaign under head coach Jim Schlossnagle, Texas is off to its best 35-game start 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 winning streak marked the longest since the program won 21 in a row in 2010.
THE EYES OF TEXAS ARE UPON YOU — On Monday, Texas checked in as the consensus No. 1 team in the country for the first time in three years,. The Longhorns climbed the rankings for the ninth straight week, as Texas moved up in all five major polls. The Longhorns began the year at No. 19, according to D1Baseball.
IT JUST MEANS MORE — At the midway mark of its SEC slate, Texas has made a statement by winning 13 of its first 15 games. The Longhorns' 13-2 record in SEC action marks their best start to conference play in 15 years. With a sweep over Mississippi State at Dudy Noble Field, Texas became the first SEC team to notch a sweep in the program's first-ever conference road series since 1992. The Longhorns' win over LSU was their first series victory over a top-2 team since March 1-3, 2019. Meanwhile, with a 4-3 walk-off win over Georgia, Texas completed its first sweep against a top-3 opponent since that same weekend with LSU in 2019. The Longhorns are the lone program to have won all five of their series in SEC play. Last year, a record 11 SEC teams earned NCAA Tournament bids. The SEC has won each of the last five national championships — all by five different programs.
NEW ERA, SAME STANDARD — A 24-year head coaching veteran who was twice tabbed National Coach of the Year and led his team to the College World Series seven times, Jim Schlossnagle was named only the sixth Longhorns head baseball coach since 1911. Schlossnagle's six CWS appearances in the last 10 seasons are tied for the most of any coach, while his 50 NCAA Tournament wins during that stretch are the best of any skipper. As of April 16, the ABCA Hall of Famer ranks 11th among winningest active Division I coaches, amassing a 976-460 (.679) record.
OOH, BARRACUDA — After splitting time behind the plate a year ago, Rylan Galvan has solidified himself as Texas' everyday catcher in 2025. Among SEC hitters, Galvan sits fourth in on-base percentage (.504), slugging (.765), and OPS (1.269). The junior is also tied for 10th in home runs (11), averaging a homer once every 8.9 at-bats. Galvan is riding a 27-game on-base streak. Across that stretch, the 6-foot, 215-pound backstop has totaled a .370 average and 11 blasts, posting 29 RBI. In the Longhorns' sweep of No. 3 Georgia, Galvan punctuated the series with a walk-off solo shot to lift 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 name for himself in his freshman campaign. The 6-foot-6, 212-pound hurler's 1.15 ERA ranks second among all SEC hurlers (min. 30 inn.), trailing only LSU's Zac Cowan (0.79). Volantis has yielded only four earned runs in 31 1/3 innings. The Thousand Oaks, Calif., native has notched a 3-0 ledger with eight saves, which is tied for the seventh-most nationally. Over his last 12 outings, Volantis has allowed just two earned runs across 29 1/3 innings. In league play, the rookie has allowed one run over 16 1/3 frames. Volantis has posted a 1-0 mark with seven saves, while issuing only two walks and 24 strikeouts over his first nine 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 campaign in burnt orange, Mendoza has totaled a .363/.469/.526 slash line. Heading into the weekend, Mendoza paces Texas in average, triples (3) and multi-hit performances (17), while also tying for the club lead in runs (37). His .363 batting average is tied for the 10th-best mark in the SEC. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound second baseman homered four times in his first 34 at-bats, after hammering only three blasts in 203 at-bats a year ago. Prior to the Longhorns' series against then-No. 2 LSU, Mendoza strung together a 14-game hitting streak, mounting nine multi-hit efforts along the way. During that run, the sophomore hit a team-high .456 with four homers and 15 RBI.
ALL GAS, NO BRAKES — Sophomore Will Gasparino has emerged as a forced to be reckoned with for the Longhorns. Through 35 contests, the 6-foot-6, 225-pound slugger is batting .289 with 11 homers and team-best 42 RBI. As of April 16, he is tied for 10th in the SEC in RBI and 10th in round-trippers. During Texas' 4-0 week against Sam Houston and Missouri, the center fielder registered a .533/.588/1.600 slash line, leaving the yard in three of the four wins. In the series opener at Missouri on March 28, Gasparino socked a pair of three-run blasts and drove in eight runs, becoming just the third Longhorn with eight RBI in a game since 2008, matching Brandon Belt (2008) and Porter Brown (2023). Following his historic week, Gasparino was named SEC Player of the Week on March 31 and the Dick Howser Trophy National Co-Hitter of the Week on April 1. Heading into the series, he is riding a 28-game on-base streak. Over that stretch, Gasparino has launched nine homers.
SUPER MAX — One year after emerging as the Longhorns' ace, right-handed pitcher Max Grubbs has shifted into a key bullpen arm for Texas. In 2024, Grubbs made 18 appearances, earning 12 starts in an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention worthy campaign. Across his first 11 outings this season, Grubbs has allowed only four six runs over 31 2/3 innings. The junior's 1.71 ERA is third among all SEC hurlers (min. 30 inn.), trailing only LSU's Zac Cowan (0.79) and teammate Dylan Volantis (1.15). Grubbs has limited opposing hitters to a .219 average, recording a 5-0 ledger and four saves.
LONG HAIR, DON'T CARE — Southpaw Jared Spencer was selected in the 14th round of the 2024 MLB First-Year Player Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies, but elected to transfer to Texas instead. Despite making 59 appearances in three years at Indiana State, Spencer arrived on The Forty Acres with only 11 collegiate starts under his belt. As the Longhorns' ace, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound hurler has staked his claim as one of the top arms in the SEC. In conference action, Spencer has totaled 36 strikeouts over 28 2/3 innings, trailing only Tennessee's Liam Doyle (48) and LSU's Kade Anderson (44). Against then-No. 3 Georgia, he struck out a career-high 11 batters in the longest outing during his time as a collegian, tossing 7 2/3 innings. Spencer limited the Bulldogs to a season-low one run on two hits in a 111-pitch effort, becoming the first Longhorn to pitch into the eighth this year.
MUSTACHE YOU A QUESTION — After only making two starts across his first three years at Texas, redshirt junior Luke Harrison has become a stalwart for the Longhorns in the rotation. As a freshman in 2022, Harrison made a team-high 32 appearances, registering a 3.06 ERA and two saves. Over the next two seasons, the left-hander would only pitch in 13 games, after missing the 2023 campaign due to injury. This year, Harrison has posted a 2-0 ledger and a 2.92 ERA. As of April 16, the 6-foot-2, 215-pound hurler sits sixth in the SEC in ERA (min. 1.0 IP/G). In 2025, Texas is 9-0 when Harrison draws the start.
SWISS ARMY KNIFE — Right-hander Ruger Riojas' glove says it perfectly: 'SAY WHEN.' Riojas — who joined the program after two years at UTSA — has done a little bit of everything for the Longhorns on the mound. Overall, the 6-foot, 192-pound hurler is 7-1 with a 3.35 ERA over a 12 appearances, including four starts. As of April 16, Riojas is tied for third nationally in wins. In his four starts, the Wimberley, Texas, native has notched a 2.84 ERA across 25 1/3 innings. At Missouri, Riojas pitched a career-long seven shutout frames. He faced one batter over the minimum, retiring 16 of the first 17 Tigers. On March 31, he was tabbed SEC Co-Pitcher of the Week.
MAX POWER — Junior Max Belyeu entered 2025 as one of the most prolific hitters in the country. Belyeu brings his big bat back to the heart of Texas' lineup after pacing the club in slugging (.667), OPS (1.090) and multi-RBI performances (15), while matching the team lead in home runs (18). The outfielder totaled a .329 average and drove in 53 RBI, earning Big 12 Player of the Year honors last season. This year, Belyeu has reached safely in 23 of his 24 games played, slashing .358/.465/.642 with six homers and 22 RBI. The 2024 Second Team All-American has been sidelined with a thumb injury since March 29.
GOING WITH THE FLO — A consensus All-American a year ago, Jalin Flores cemented himself as one of the best shortstops nationally. Flores paced the Longhorns in doubles (22), RBI (56) and hit by pitches (10), while also tying for the club lead in homers (18), total bases (158), multi-hit games (26). In 2025, Flores ranks second in the SEC in doubles (15), trailing only Florida's Colby Shelton (18). The 6-foot-2, 210-pound slugger is tied for the eighth-most career home runs (31) in program history, matching Eric Kennedy (2019-23) and Drew Stubbs (2004-06).
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK — Third baseman Adrian Rodriguez has burst onto the college baseball scene. Rodriguez left the yard in two of his first three career games, highlighted by a go-ahead solo shot against Louisville in the 10th inning on Opening Day. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound switch hitter began his freshman campaign with an 11-game on-base streak, posting a .404 average over that stretch. At the Las Vegas Classic, Rodriguez was the lone rookie tabbed to the All-Tournament Team.
PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE — Throughout his time as a head coach, Jim Schlossnagle's teams have been touted as some of the best offensive units nationally. At the forefront of their approach, Schlossnagle's clubs have been known for working lengthy at-bats. Over the last four full seasons, Schlossnagle's squad has led the country in pitches per plate appearance. As of April 16, Texas (4.08) sits second nationally in that category, trailing only Notre Dame (4.09).
DOMINATE THE ZONE — Under first-year pitching coach Max Weiner, the Longhorns have adopted the identity of 'Dominate the Zone.' Weiner puts an emphasis on overall strike percentage, winning the 0-0 and 1-1 counts, and maximizing strikeout-to-walk ratio. Across its first 35 games, Texas has thrown 64 percent of its pitches for strikes, while totaling a 61 percent clip in 0-0 counts and a 64 percent mark in 1-1 counts. The Longhorns also boast a 2.7 strikeout-to-walk ratio. As a result, Texas has lowered its ERA by nearly two runs. The Longhorns rank second nationally in ERA (2.97).
SCORING IN BUNCHES — Widely-regarded as one of the nation's best offenses heading into 2025, Texas has shown its ability to put crooked numbers on the scoreboard. The Longhorns scored at least seven runs in an inning on six different occasions over their first 11 contests, highlighted by a season-high nine-spot against Illinois on March 2. Texas has notched double-digit runs nine times, tallying five 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).
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS...AGAIN — After winning the Shriners Children's College Showdown opening weekend, Texas doubled down by claiming the Las Vegas College Baseball Classic crown on March 2. The Longhorns swept the field in Sin City, scoring 35 runs across the three-day event. In its first game, 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, including a season-best nine-spot in the sixth to best 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-Tournament Team, with Flores garnering MVP honors.
traDISCHion UNLIKE ANY OTHER — The Longhorns will honor their history throughout the 2025 season, as part of the Saturday traDISCHion series at UFCU Disch-Falk Field. For the fourth consecutive campaign, Texas is celebrating past greats on select Saturdays. The Longhorns will salute Calvin Schiraldi on March 8, before recognizing Roger Clemens on March 22. Two weeks later, Texas will commemorate the 1975 national championship team on April 5. Corey Knebel is set to be honored on April 19 and Brooks Kieschnick is slated to be celebrated on April 26. The final traDISCHion Saturday of 2025 will feature the 2005 national championship team on May 10.
OWN THE DISCH — Since UFCU Disch-Falk Field opened in 1975, Texas has gone 1,649-423-3 (.796) at home thanks in large part to Longhorn Nation. In 2025, Texas has drawn 140,007 fans at home, including a season-best 7,378 fans against UTSA on March 18. With the exception of the 2021 campaign because of limited capacity due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Longhorns led the Big 12 in attendance for 16 consecutive seasons. Last year, Texas averaged 7,476 fans per game, the fifth-highest average attendance in the country.
MASTERING MIDWEEKS — Texas is 6-2 in midweek games. Ten of the Longhorns' 11 midweek contests will be at UFCU Disch-Falk Field. Texas heads on the road to take on Texas State on April 22. Since 2020, Jim Schlossnagle's clubs have posted a 49-10 (.831) ledger in midweeks, posting wins in 21 of the last 23 games.
A LOOK AT THE LONGHORNS — Last season, Texas made its 63rd NCAA Tournament appearance, earning a spot in the College Station Regional. The Longhorns bring back 18 players from the 2024 team and add 23 newcomers. Five 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 college baseball program of all time has become very familiar with the restaurants in Omaha, Neb. Texas holds the record for most appearances in the College World Series (38), most individual CWS games won (88), most overall NCAA Tournament games won (258) and most NCAA Tournament appearances (63). The Longhorns have won six national championships, trailing only USC (12) and LSU (7).
HEAR 'EM — In partnership with Learfield IMG College, Texas games will be broadcast on the Longhorn Radio Network, primarily on AM-1300 The Zone. Craig Way handles primary play-by-play duties alongside Roger Wallace. This season, fans will also hear analysis from Longhorn legend Keith Moreland.
