Auburn Baseball Looks to Clinch Series Against Texas

The Tigers and Longhorns face off in the rubber match of their 3-game set.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 5:49pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The 4th-ranked Auburn Tigers (19-3, 4-1) will go for the series win on Sunday at 2 p.m. against the 2nd-ranked Texas Longhorns (19-3, 3-2) at Plainsman Park. The game will feature a pitching matchup between Auburn's Alex Petrovic and Texas' Dylan Volantis, two of the top young arms in college baseball.

Why it matters

This series between two top-5 teams is an important early-season test for both programs as they look to position themselves for a potential national seed in the NCAA Tournament. The rubber match on Sunday will determine the winner of the series and provide valuable resume-building experience for the victor.

The details

Auburn and Texas have split the first two games of the series, with both contests coming down to the final inning. Petrovic has been strong for the Tigers this season, posting a 2.03 ERA, while Volantis has been dominant for the Longhorns with a 1.53 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 29.1 innings. The winner of Sunday's game will take the series and gain an important early-season advantage.

  • The game is scheduled for Sunday, March 22, 2026 at 2 p.m. local time.
  • The series is tied 1-1 after the first two games.

The players

Alex Petrovic

Auburn's redshirt sophomore starting pitcher, who is 2-0 with a 2.03 ERA this season.

Dylan Volantis

Texas' super sophomore left-handed starting pitcher, who is 3-0 with a 1.53 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 29.1 innings.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This is another big-time matchup between two of the top teams in the country. We're excited for the challenge and the opportunity to win the series on our home field.”

— Butch Thompson, Auburn Head Coach

What’s next

The winner of Sunday's game will gain an important early-season series victory and boost their resume for potential NCAA Tournament seeding.

The takeaway

This rubber match between two top-5 programs is a must-watch for college baseball fans, as it features a premier pitching matchup and will have significant implications for both teams' postseason aspirations.