UTRGV Baseball Defeats Kansas in Season Opener

Vaqueros win 7-4 in front of sellout crowd at UTRGV Baseball Stadium

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros baseball team opened the 2026 season with a 7-4 victory over the Kansas Jayhawks on Friday, February 13th. A sellout crowd of 5,862 witnessed the exciting contest at UTRGV Baseball Stadium.

Why it matters

The win marks a strong start to the season for the UTRGV baseball program, which is looking to build on its success and continue to grow its fanbase in the Rio Grande Valley region.

The details

Senior Thomas Williams led the Vaqueros' offense, going 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Kansas jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, but UTRGV responded with four runs in the second inning to take the lead. Williams' home run in the third extended the Vaqueros' advantage to 5-2. Though Kansas narrowed the gap to 5-4 in the fourth, UTRGV pulled away late with a home run by Armani Raygoza and an RBI-double from Williams.

  • The game was played on Friday, February 13, 2026.
  • UTRGV and Kansas will continue their series on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.

The players

Thomas Williams

A senior on the UTRGV baseball team who had a standout performance, going 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, two RBIs, and two runs scored.

Jordan Bach

A player for the Kansas Jayhawks who had a strong game, going 4-for-5 at the plate including a home run and an RBI-single.

Harrison Thayer

The UTRGV sophomore pitcher who delivered a stellar relief performance, pitching 5.0 scoreless innings and securing the win for the Vaqueros.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.