No. 2 Texas and No. 18 Texas A&M Set for Lone Star Showdown

Heated baseball rivalry resumes as top-ranked teams battle in three-game series

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:39pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the action and energy of a college baseball game, with players, bats, and baseballs rendered in the distinct colors of the Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies.The Lone Star State's top baseball programs collide in a high-stakes series that will test the strengths and weaknesses of both the Longhorns and Aggies.College Station Today

The Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies, two of the top teams in college baseball, are set to face off in a highly anticipated three-game series this weekend in College Station. Texas boasts one of the nation's best pitching staffs, while the Aggies have a potent offense, setting the stage for an exciting clash between strengths.

Why it matters

This series is a crucial matchup between two top-ranked teams in the SEC, with major implications for their conference title and NCAA Tournament aspirations. The heated rivalry between the two in-state schools also adds extra intensity and drama to the proceedings.

The details

Texas brings a 2.74 ERA from ace Ruger Riojas to face off against Texas A&M's Shane Sdao (5.48 ERA) in Friday's opener. On Saturday, Texas lefty Luke Harrison (2.72 ERA) takes on Aggies righty Aiden Sims (3.32 ERA). Sunday's finale features Texas southpaw Dylan Volantis (2.01 ERA) against an as-yet-undetermined Texas A&M starter.

  • The series begins tonight at 7 p.m. CT on SEC Network.
  • Game two is set for Saturday at 2 p.m. CT on ESPN2.
  • The series concludes on Sunday at 1 p.m. CT, streaming on SEC Network+.

The players

Ruger Riojas

Texas Longhorns right-handed pitcher with a 2.74 ERA.

Shane Sdao

Texas A&M Aggies left-handed pitcher with a 5.48 ERA.

Luke Harrison

Texas Longhorns left-handed pitcher with a 2.72 ERA and team-leading 0.91 WHIP in SEC play.

Aiden Sims

Texas A&M Aggies right-handed pitcher with a 3.32 ERA and .259 opponent batting average in SEC games.

Dylan Volantis

Texas Longhorns left-handed pitcher with a 2.01 ERA and dominant breaking pitches.

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What they’re saying

“This will be an excellent test of the two teams.”

— Justin Nash, Author

What’s next

The winner of this series will hold bragging rights, but both teams will still have the full season ahead of them to focus on making the NCAA Tournament as a top 16 seed and earning a regional at home.

The takeaway

This heated in-state rivalry between two top-ranked college baseball teams will showcase the strengths and weaknesses of both squads, with the winner gaining valuable momentum heading into the back half of the season.