Texas Baseball Primed for Bounce-Back Season

Longhorns look to build on 2025 SEC regular-season title and return to Omaha

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Texas Longhorns baseball team is gearing up for the 2026 season, looking to bounce back from an early exit in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. With a deep and talented pitching staff returning, led by standout sophomore left-hander Dylan Volantis, the Longhorns have their sights set on a return to the College World Series. The team has also bolstered its lineup through the transfer portal, adding productive bats like outfielder Aiden Robbins and catcher Carson Tinney. As the season opener approaches on February 13th, head coach Jim Schlossnagle has some position battles still to sort out, but the Longhorns appear primed for a big year.

Why it matters

Texas is one of the premier college baseball programs in the country, and the Longhorns' success is closely watched by fans and media alike. After winning the SEC regular-season title in 2025 but falling short of Omaha, the team is determined to reclaim its spot among the nation's elite and compete for a national championship. The Longhorns' deep pitching staff and revamped lineup make them a formidable opponent, and their performance this season could have major implications for the program's future.

The details

The Longhorns' pitching staff is the backbone of the team, led by sophomore left-hander Dylan Volantis, who set an SEC record with 12 saves as a freshman. Volantis will anchor the rotation, with veterans Luke Harrison, Max Grubbs, and Thomas Burns providing stability and depth. The team also has several promising young arms, including freshmen Brett Crossland, Sam Cozart, and Michael Winter. On offense, Texas has added several key transfers, including outfielder Aiden Robbins from Seton Hall and catcher Carson Tinney from Notre Dame. Returning starters Ethan Mendoza, Casey Borba, and Adrian Rodriguez will also be counted on to provide production at the plate.

  • The 2026 Texas Longhorns baseball season will open on February 13th against UC Davis.
  • The Longhorns won the SEC regular-season title in 2025 but were eliminated from the NCAA Tournament in the Austin Regional.

The players

Dylan Volantis

A sophomore left-hander who is the ace of the Texas pitching staff, Volantis set an SEC record with 12 saves as a freshman and is expected to be the Longhorns' Friday starter this season.

Jim Schlossnagle

The head coach of the Texas Longhorns baseball team, Schlossnagle is in his second season with the program and is looking to lead the team back to the College World Series.

Aiden Robbins

A transfer outfielder from Seton Hall, Robbins is one of the most productive hitters in college baseball, batting .422 with a .537 on-base percentage in 2025.

Carson Tinney

A transfer catcher from Notre Dame, Tinney earned All-America honors and was a finalist for the Buster Posey Award in 2025.

Ethan Mendoza

The returning starting infielder for the Longhorns, Mendoza led the team with a .333 batting average in 2025.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The Longhorns will open their 2026 season on February 13th against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field in Austin.

The takeaway

With a deep and talented pitching staff, a revamped lineup, and a determination to return to the College World Series, the Texas Longhorns baseball team is poised for a bounce-back season in 2026. The team's success could have major implications for the program's future as it looks to reclaim its spot among the nation's elite.