Texas Longhorns Sweep UC Davis in Season Opener

Sophomore lefthander Dylan Volantis shines in first start, Texas offense explodes in third inning

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The Texas Longhorns baseball team swept their season-opening series against UC Davis, winning the final game 9-1 on Sunday. Sophomore lefthander Dylan Volantis was dominant on the mound, allowing just one hit with eight strikeouts in seven innings of work. The Longhorns offense erupted for six runs in the third inning, led by a bases-clearing double from Adrian Rodriguez. Texas hit .385 with two outs in the game, though they left 13 runners on base.

Why it matters

The Longhorns are looking to build on a strong 2025 season and make a deep run in the NCAA tournament. Volantis' impressive debut as a starter is an encouraging sign for the team's pitching depth, while the offensive outburst shows the Longhorns have the firepower to compete with any opponent.

The details

Volantis needed just 78 pitches to get through seven innings, with the only blemish being an unearned run that crossed the plate in the sixth inning. The Longhorns offense was led by a six-run third inning, with Rodriguez's bases-clearing double providing the big blow. Aiden Robbins, Casey Borba, and Ashton Larson also drove in runs in the frame. Texas hit .385 with two outs, but left 13 runners on base.

  • The game was played on Sunday, February 16, 2026.

The players

Dylan Volantis

A sophomore lefthander for the Texas Longhorns, Volantis made an impressive debut as a starter, allowing just one hit with eight strikeouts in seven innings.

Adrian Rodriguez

The Texas outfielder delivered the big hit of the game, a bases-clearing double in the third inning that gave the Longhorns a 6-0 lead.

Aiden Robbins

The Texas infielder drove in a run with a single in the third inning.

Casey Borba

The Texas infielder also drove in a run with a single in the third inning.

Ashton Larson

The Texas outfielder plated a run with a sacrifice fly in the third inning.

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What’s next

The Longhorns (3-0) continue their homestand at 5 p.m. Tuesday against Lamar. The Cardinals won their season-opening series against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies 2-1, but lost Sunday's finale 3-2 in 10 innings.

The takeaway

Volantis' dominant outing and the Longhorns' offensive explosion in the third inning are positive signs for a Texas team looking to build on their success from last season. If the Longhorns can continue to get strong pitching performances and timely hitting, they could be a force to be reckoned with in the 2026 college baseball season.