The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
30-7, 0
Alabama
27-13, 0
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Texas | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | X | 3 | 8 | 0 |
No. 4 Baseball rolls past No. 11 Alabama, 3-1
04.18.2026 | Baseball
Longhorns match program record for most strikeouts in nine-inning game
AUSTIN, Texas — No. 4 Texas notched 19 strikeouts, as the Longhorns won a 3-1 pitchers' duel over No. 11 Alabama at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Saturday afternoon.
Texas (30-7, 11-5 SEC) tied the most punchouts in a nine-inning game in program history, matching its performance against Southwest Louisiana on March 18, 1988.
The Longhorns' 19 strikeouts were also their highest mark in a contest since a 15-inning affair against Oklahoma State 11 years ago.
Right-hander Ruger Riojas mounted 11 punchouts and scattered three hits across five frames of one-run baseball.
After the first three batters reached safely to break the ice, Riojas retired 14 of the final 15 he faced.
With the Crimson Tide (27-13, 8-9 SEC) ahead, 1-0, the senior set down the next four visitors swinging.
Riojas fanned a hitter in the third before registering a rare four-strikeout inning one frame later.
The 6-foot, 195-pound hurler capped off his outing with a 1-2-3 fifth, highlighted by back-to-back punchouts.
Haiden Leffew (3-1) collected three more strikeouts over two scoreless innings, bringing the total to 14. Ethan Walker and Thomas Burns followed with a punchout each in the eighth.
Meanwhile, Sam Cozart (6) struck out the side to punctuate Texas' historic effort.
As a staff, the Longhorns didn't allow a hit after a leadoff single in the third.
Alabama starter Zane Adams tossed six shutdown frames of his own to hold up his end of the pitchers' duel. Adams surrendered five hits and logged seven punchouts.
Once the Crimson Tide turned to their bullpen, Texas capitalized.
With runners on first and second in the seventh, Jayden Duplantier delivered a game-tying knock to right field.
After Aiden Robbins loaded the bases with his third hit of the day, Carson Tinney provided the decisive blow.
Tinney ripped a go-ahead single up the middle to plate Casey Borba and push the Longhorns in front, 2-1.
Two batters later, Adrian Rodriguez tacked on an insurance tally with a sacrifice fly.
With the victory, Texas earned its eighth win against a ranked opponent.
The Longhorns will look to complete their second sweep in SEC play on Sunday. The series finale is slated for 1 p.m. at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Leffew, Haiden (3-1)
L: Matthew Heiberger (2-2)
S: Cozart, Sam (6)
Batting:
2B: Brady Neal 1
RBI: Brady Neal 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Bryce Fowler 1
Batting:
2B: Borba, Casey 1
RBI: Tinney, Carson 1 ; Rodriguez, Adrian 1 ; Duplantier, Jayden 1
SF: Rodriguez, Adrian 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Becerra, Temo 1 ; Borba, Casey 1 ; Duplantier, Jayden 1
SB: Robbins, Aiden 1 ; Pack Jr., Anthony 1
CS: Robbins, Aiden 1
