No. 2 Longhorns Baseball Suffer First Loss of Season in SEC Opener

Texas' 16-0 start to the season was snapped by Ole Miss in a wild 11-inning game.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 3:51pm

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The Texas Longhorns baseball team, ranked No. 2 in the country, suffered its first loss of the 2026 season on Friday night, falling 9-8 in 11 innings to Ole Miss in the opening game of their SEC conference schedule. Texas had been a perfect 16-0 to start the year, tying their best start since 2025, before the defeat.

Why it matters

The loss ends Texas' undefeated start to the season and is a setback as they begin SEC play, one of the toughest conferences in college baseball. However, the Longhorns have shown they can compete with elite teams, and this game highlighted their resilience in battling back late before ultimately falling in extra innings.

The details

Texas took a 7-3 lead in the eighth inning on a three-run home run by Anthony Pack, Jr., but Ole Miss responded with a go-ahead grand slam in the top of the ninth to take an 8-7 lead. The Longhorns tied it in the bottom of the ninth to force extra innings, but Ole Miss scored the winning run in the 11th to hand Texas its first loss.

  • The game took place on Friday, March 14, 2026.
  • Texas entered the game with a 16-0 record, tying their best start since 2025.

The players

Texas Longhorns

The baseball team from the University of Texas, ranked No. 2 in the country with a 16-0 record before this game.

Ole Miss

The baseball team from the University of Mississippi, who handed Texas its first loss of the season in the SEC opener.

Anthony Pack, Jr.

A Texas player who hit a three-run home run in the eighth inning to give the Longhorns a 7-3 lead.

Tristan Bissetta

An Ole Miss outfielder who hit a go-ahead grand slam in the top of the ninth inning to give the Rebels an 8-7 lead.

Temo Bacerra

A Texas player who hit a game-tying single in the bottom of the ninth inning to force extra innings.

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What they’re saying

“This was a tough loss, but we showed a lot of fight to battle back late. We'll learn from this and come back stronger for the rest of SEC play.”

— Temo Bacerra, Texas Player

What’s next

Texas will look to bounce back on Saturday when they host Ole Miss for the second game of their weekend series.

The takeaway

Despite the loss, Texas has proven it can compete with the best teams in the country, and this setback will only motivate them as they continue their quest for a successful SEC campaign and potential postseason berth.