The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Tennessee
No. 2 Baseball preview: vs. No. 21 Tennessee (SEC Tournament)
05.21.2025 | Baseball
Longhorns set to make first-ever appearance in SEC Tournament.
#21 TENNESSEE vs. #2 TEXAS
May 22, 2025
Where: Hoover Metropolitan Stadium
Time: 3 p.m
Stream/TV: SEC Network
Radio: The Zone AM-1300/103.1 FM
Live stats: texas.statbroadcast.com
PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUP
Tennessee LHP Liam Doyle (9-3, 2.72 ERA) vs. Texas LHP Ethan Walker (1-0, 2.70 ERA)
THE MATCHUP — Coming off its best regular season in 15 years, No. 1 seed Texas makes its first-ever SEC Tournament appearance Thursday afternoon. In the quarterfinals, the Longhorns will face No. 8 seed Tennessee, which defeated No. 9 seed Alabama, 15-10, on Wednesday. The two sides have met just four times, most recently squaring off in the opening contest of the 2022 Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic at Minute Maid Park.
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS — Texas became the first team to win the SEC in its first season since the league's inaugural campaign in 1933. The Longhorns, who were picked eighth in the conference's preseason poll, won the league by two games. Texas' 22-8 ledger in SEC action marked its best record in conference play in 15 years. The Longhorns were the lone SEC team to win eight series in league play. Prior to its three-game set at Arkansas, Texas notched 13 conference series victories in a row, their most consecutive series wins since a stretch from April 1987 - April 1989.
ALL-SEC HORNS — Six Texas Longhorns collected SEC distinction, as the league announced its postseason honors on Monday. Left-hander Dylan Volantis and head coach Jim Schlossnagle both earned major awards, as Volantis was named SEC Freshman of the Year and Schlossnagle was tabbed SEC Coach of the Year. Volantis was joined on the All-SEC First Team by catcher Rylan Galvan. Meanwhile, Galvan, first baseman Kimble Schuessler, second baseman Ethan Mendoza and outfielder Will Gasparino all garnered spots on the SEC All-Defensive Team. The Longhorns were the lone club with a pair of major award winners and the first program to land a quartet of selections on the All-Defensive Team since LSU in 2015.
REGULAR SEASON TO REMEMBER — In its inaugural campaign under head coach Jim Schlossnagle, Texas posted its regular season ledger in 15 years. Prior to May, the Longhorns won 38 of their first 43 contests. After an extra-inning defeat on Opening Day, Texas 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. Texas also mounted a 10-game winning streak to finish off a 15-2 month of April.
REVIEWING THE RESUME — As of May 21, the Longhorns are fourth nationally in RPI. Texas paces the country with 18 Quad 1 wins. The Longhorns have notched a combined 24-1 record in Quad 2, Quad 3 and Quad 4 contests. In addition to its historic run in SEC play, Texas has posted a 20-3 ledger, which marked its best regular-season non-conference record since 2009.
THE EYES OF TEXAS ARE UPON YOU — For the ninth straight week, the Longhorns checked in as a top-3 team in the polls. Prior to May 12, Texas was slotted as the top program nationally for a month straight for the first time in three years. The Longhorns climbed the rankings for nine consecutive weeks before claiming the No. 1 spot on April 14. Texas began the year at No. 19, according to D1Baseball.
HUM YOU, DV — Left-hander Dylan Volantis has made a name for himself in his freshman campaign. In SEC play, Volantis led all pitchers (min. 25 inn.) in ERA (1.59), WHIP (0.85), B/AVG (.160) and saves (11). His 11 saves in conference action are the most by an SEC freshman ever, breaking Ole Miss' Steven Head's 22-year-old record. In his first 16 SEC appearances, Volantis allowed five tallies over 28 1/3 frames, while issuing only eight walks and registering 48 strikeouts. Overall, the 6-foot-6, 212-pound hurler has notched a 4-0 ledger with 12 saves, which is tied for sixth nationally. Volantis has yielded only eight earned runs in 43 1/3 innings. He was named SEC Freshman of the Year on May 19.
OOH, BARRACUDA — After splitting time behind the plate a year ago, Rylan Galvan has solidified himself as Texas' everyday catcher in 2025. An All-SEC First Team selection, Galvan leads the Longhorns in five offensive categories, highlighted by his 1.088 OPS. The junior's team-leading 14 home runs are the most by a Longhorn backstop in a season since Chris Abbe in 1992. Galvan totaled 12 homers in his first two seasons combined. The 6-foot, 215-pound slugger posted a 32-game on-base streak from Feb. 25 to April 25, notching a team-high .366 average and 12 blasts across that stretch. 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.
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 notched 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 26 of his 27 games played, slashing .333/.442/.611 with seven homers and 25 RBI. The 2024 Second Team All-American missed 26 games due to a thumb injury before returning against Oklahoma on May 15.
WELCOME HOME, DOZA — A lifelong Longhorn fan, second baseman Ethan Mendoza transferred to The Forty Acres after one season at Arizona State. Heading into the postseason, Mendoza paces Texas in average (.328), runs (50), hits (66), triples (3) and multi-hit performances (22). 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 team-best 14-game hitting streak, mounting nine multi-hit efforts along the way. During that run, the sophomore hit .456 with four homers and 15 RBI.
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, missing the 2023 campaign due to injury. This year, Harrison has totaled a 5-1 ledger and a 2.98 ERA. As of May 21, the 6-foot-2, 215-pound hurler sits fifth in the SEC in ERA (min. 1.0 IP/G). In 2025, Texas is 12-2 when Harrison draws the start.
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 19 outings this season, Grubbs has allowed only 14 earned runs over 51 innings. The junior's 2.47 ERA ranks second among all SEC hurlers (min. 50 inn.), trailing only Oklahoma's Kyson Witherspoon (2.48). Grubbs has limited opposing hitters to a .227 average, recording a 6-1 ledger and five saves.
SCHUESS IS LOOSE — Despite growing up an Aggie fan and spending his first year at Texas A&M, graduate student Kimble Schuessler bleeds burnt orange. After playing just three games for the rivals from College Station, Schuessler has become a constant presence in the Longhorns' lineup since 2022. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound slugger has totaled at least a .308 average in all three of his seasons at Texas. As a full-time starter last year, Schuessler mounted a .343/.420/.601 slash line, posting the second-best average on the club. This season, all seven of his home runs have come since March 28, highlighted by SEC Co-Player of the Week honors on April 21. Against UTRGV and No. 8 Auburn, Schuessler reached safely in 13 of his 17 plate appearances. As part of his career-week, the first baseman notched a two-homer, eight-RBI performance in Texas' 14-2 run-rule win over the Tigers. Schuessler became just the fifth Longhorn with eight RBI in a game since 2008. Heading into the postseason, the Llano, Texas, native is tied for the seventh-most doubles (15) in the SEC.
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 is tied for second in the SEC in doubles (18), trailing only Florida's Colby Shelton (19). The 6-foot-2, 210-pound slugger has tallied the fifth-most career home runs (35) in program history. Throughout his time at Texas, Flores has had a flair for the dramatic, tallying five grand slams, including the go-ahead shot in the ninth inning at Texas State on April 22.
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK — Utility man 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. Since returning from a hand injury, the rookie has reache d safely in all 20 contests, tallying hits in each of the last 14 games.
ALL GAS, NO BRAKES — Sophomore Will Gasparino has blossomed into a force to be reckoned with for the Longhorns. Through the regular season, the 6-foot-6, 225-pound slugger sits second on the club in RBI (47), while tying for the second-most homers (13). 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 fourth Longhorn with eight RBI in a game since 2008, matching Brandon Belt (2008), Porter Brown (2023) and Eric Kennedy (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. He registered a 34-game on-base streak from February 28 to April 26. Over that stretch, Gasparino hit nine homers.
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. The 6-foot, 192-pound hurler has made 17 appearances, including nine starts. As a reliever, Riojas posted a 4-1 record and a 3.98 ERA over 20 1/3 innings. Meanwhile, across his first six starting nods, the Wimberley, Texas, native mounted a 4-0 mark and a 2.39 ERA in 34 innings.
LONG HAIR, DON'T CARE — 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 lefty has staked his claim as one of the top arms in the SEC. 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.
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 May 21, the ABCA Hall of Famer ranks 11th among winningest active Division I coaches, amassing a 988-466 (.680) record.
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. Heading into the postseason, Texas (4.10) paces the nation in that category, checking in ahead of Jacksonville State (4.06), Wake Forest (4.03) Oklahoma (4.03) and Notre Dame (4.03).
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 the regular season, Texas threw 63 percent of its pitches for strikes, while totaling a 60 percent clip in 0-0 counts and a 62 percent mark in 1-1 counts. The Longhorns also boast a 2.6 strikeout-to-walk ratio. As a result, Texas has lowered its ERA by nearly a run-and-a-half. The Longhorns rank second in the country in WHIP (1.19) and fifth in ERA (3.54).
TEXAS FIGHT — Heading into the postseason, Texas has notched 21 come-from-behind wins, which marks its most in a season since 2011. The Longhorns have tallied six victories trailing after six innings. On April 22, Texas overcame a five-run deficit at Texas State, scoring 10 runs over the final three innings. In one-run games, the Longhorns have notched a 10-3 record.
SCORING IN BUNCHES — 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 mounted at least five runs in a frame on 16 different instances. Overall, the Longhorns have notched double-digit runs 13 times, tallying six run-rule victories over Ole Miss (Feb. 15), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (March 4), Sam Houston (March 25), Missouri (March 28), Houston Christian (April 10) and Auburn (April 19).
OWN THE DISCH — Since UFCU Disch-Falk Field opened in 1975, Texas has gone 1,655-425-3 (.796) at home thanks in large part to Longhorn Nation. In 2025, Texas has drawn 220,493 fans at home, including a season-best 7,942 fans against Texas A&M on April 25. Across the weekend with the Aggies, the Longhorns set a new three-game series attendance record at UFCU Disch-Falk Field, with 23,680 fans watching Texas' sweep over its rival. 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 posted the fifth-highest average attendance (7,476) in the country.
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 main play-by-play duties alongside Roger Wallace, David Saltzman and Cameron Parker. This season, fans will also hear analysis from Longhorn legend and 12-year MLB veteran Keith Moreland, former second-round pick Mike Hardge and longtime Texas State head coach Ty Harrington.
