Volantis Ties Career High Strikeout Count, No. 3 Texas Baseball Sweeps UC Davis

Texas sophomore pitcher Dylan Volantis had a dominant outing, tying his career-high strikeout record in the Longhorns' series sweep over UC Davis.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Texas sophomore pitcher Dylan Volantis lasted seven innings, setting a career high, allowed one hit and one run. In his second career start, Volantis tossed for eight strikeouts, tying his career high he set last season against Georgia. The No. 3 Texas Longhorns exploded for six runs and six in the third inning for an early game cushion that the Aggies could not overcome in the final game of the opening weekend series. The Longhorns beat the Aggies, 9-1, Sunday afternoon at Disch-Falk Field in Austin, Texas.

Why it matters

Volantis was one of Texas' most effective relievers last season and is now taking on a starting role with high expectations. This dominant outing to open the season shows he can handle the increased workload and build on his success from his freshman campaign.

The details

In just his second start of his career, Volantis was efficient against the Aggies batting order, facing just 25 batters in his season debut. The sophomore pitcher did not allow a hit until the sixth inning, when Aggies sophomore left fielder Zach Story fired an unearned RBI double for UC Davis' only run of the afternoon. Volantis made a pair of errors in the victory, but brushed them off, saying "Mistakes happen, it's not a game of perfect." Texas freshman pitcher Michael Winter made his first collegiate appearance to close out the game, tossing two strikeouts and allowing one hit in the final two innings.

  • Volantis set a career high by lasting seven innings on February 15, 2026.
  • Volantis tied his career high of 8 strikeouts, which he previously set last season against Georgia.

The players

Dylan Volantis

A Texas sophomore pitcher who had a dominant outing, tying his career-high strikeout record in the Longhorns' series sweep over UC Davis.

Zach Story

A UC Davis sophomore left fielder who hit an unearned RBI double for the Aggies' only run of the game.

Michael Winter

A Texas freshman pitcher who made his first collegiate appearance, tossing two strikeouts and allowing one hit in the final two innings.

Jim Schlossnagle

The Texas head coach who praised Volantis' performance, saying he "did a really nice job getting us off to a good start" and "looked like himself from last year."

Casey Borba

The Texas junior first baseman who made two unassisted double plays to close out a pair of innings.

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What they’re saying

“Good ball game today for us, Dylan [Volantis] did a really nice job getting us off to a good start. He had full control of the game. Felt like once he kind of found himself there in the second inning, found his breaking ball, and he really looked like himself from last year.”

— Jim Schlossnagle, Texas head coach (si.com)

“[I] just focus on what's currently in front of you. Felt like my pitches had a really good command of it.... got the bat swinging, which was pretty good.”

— Dylan Volantis (si.com)

“Mistakes happens it's not a game of perfect. It's a game of compete. That's what it was, with those just kind of smile it off. Move on and face what's in front of you, [and] not really worried about what happened in the past.”

— Dylan Volantis (si.com)

“I was in the hole, and I was next to [Coach Troy Tulowitzki], and he was like, 'I need someone to clear the bases right here. We need some we need a double or something.' I was like, 'Tulo. I got you watch this.'”

— Adrian Rodriguez, Texas sophomore shortstop (si.com)

“I mean, played a lot of first base growing up, so had some background knowledge playing over there and some experience.”

— Casey Borba, Texas junior first baseman (si.com)

What’s next

Texas will face the Lamar Cardinals for its first midweek game of the season on Tuesday at 5 p.m. CT at UFCU Disch-Falk Field in Austin, Texas.

The takeaway

Volantis' dominant outing to open the season shows he can handle the increased workload of a starting role and build on his success from his freshman campaign as one of Texas' most effective relievers. The Longhorns' offense also came alive, providing an early cushion that the Aggies could not overcome.