Ethan Mendoza Walks Off UC Davis in Texas Baseball Season Opener

Texas junior infielder Ethan Mendoza's 2-run home run in the 7th inning seals the Longhorns' 12-2 win over UC Davis

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Texas junior infielder Ethan Mendoza, the Longhorns' lead-off hitter, opened the night 0-4 at the plate but hit a 2-run home run in the 7th inning to close out the Longhorns' 12-2 season-opening win over the UC Davis Aggies. The Longhorns' top of the order, including Mendoza, sophomore shortstop Adrian Rodriguez, junior outfielder Aiden Robbins, and junior catcher Carson Tinney, combined for 5 hits, 7 RBIs, and 2 home runs in the victory.

Why it matters

The Longhorns' dominant performance in their season opener against UC Davis showcases the team's offensive firepower and depth, with contributions from both veteran and young players. This win sets the tone for what could be a promising season for the No. 3 ranked Texas baseball team.

The details

Mendoza, who went 0-4 earlier in the game, hit a 2-run home run in the 7th inning to close out the Longhorns' 12-2 win over UC Davis. The Longhorns' top of the order, including Mendoza, Rodriguez, Robbins, and Tinney, combined for 5 hits, 7 RBIs, and 2 home runs. Robbins, a transfer from Seton Hall, hit a 428-yard 2-run home run in the 2nd inning. Freshman outfielder Anthony Pack Jr. went a perfect 3-3 with 2 RBIs and a double in his collegiate debut.

  • The game was played on Friday, February 14, 2026.

The players

Ethan Mendoza

A junior infielder and the lead-off hitter for the Texas Longhorns baseball team.

Adrian Rodriguez

A sophomore shortstop for the Texas Longhorns baseball team.

Aiden Robbins

A junior outfielder and transfer from Seton Hall who is one of the nation's top hitters.

Carson Tinney

A junior catcher for the Texas Longhorns baseball team.

Anthony Pack Jr.

A freshman outfielder who went 3-3 with 2 RBIs and a double in his collegiate debut for the Texas Longhorns.

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What they’re saying

“I can't complain with a win. We got the dub, Ethan Mendoza, that's a guy right there, he put it away.”

— Anthony Pack Jr., Freshman (Twitter)

“You got two guys that are basically protecting me in the lineup. You don't want to throw to anybody in our lineup.”

— Aiden Robbins, Junior Outfielder (Twitter)

“I couldn't wait to get on the field. I mean, as soon as the crowd roared for the first time it was, I just couldn't keep a smile off my face. It's just incredible moment, an incredible game for everybody on our team.”

— Aiden Robbins, Junior Outfielder (Twitter)

What’s next

Texas will look to win the series against UC Davis tomorrow at 12 p.m. at UFCU Disch-Faulk Field in Austin, Texas.

The takeaway

The Longhorns' dominant offensive performance in their season opener, with contributions from both veteran and young players, suggests this team has the potential to be a force to be reckoned with in college baseball this season.