SHOCKER IN AUSTIN: No. 2 Texas Longhorns Fall to UTSA in 9–7 Regional Stunner

In a jaw-dropping upset that sent shockwaves through college baseball, the second-ranked Texas Longhorns were toppled by the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Roadrunners in a 9–7 thriller during the Austin Regional of the NCAA Baseball Tournament. What was expected to be a routine victory for the powerhouse Longhorns quickly spiraled into chaos, as UTSA flipped the script and delivered one of the most memorable upsets in recent tournament history.

The Austin Regional, held at the iconic UFCU Disch-Falk Field, was supposed to be the launching pad for another deep postseason run by Texas. Instead, the night ended in stunned silence from the home crowd as the underdog Roadrunners charged the field in celebration. It was UTSA’s first-ever victory over Texas in postseason play and a defining moment for the San Antonio program.

Texas came out swinging, quickly putting two runs on the board in the first inning behind a scorching RBI double from All-American Dylan Campbell and a sacrifice fly by Jared Thomas. The crowd roared, anticipating a dominant performance. But UTSA didn’t blink. In the top of the second, they responded with a three-run blast off Longhorns starter Ace Whitehead, seizing a 3–2 lead and showing they weren’t there to simply fill out the bracket.

From that point on, momentum swayed like a pendulum. Texas regained a 5–4 advantage in the fourth inning thanks to some aggressive baserunning and timely hits. But UTSA refused to be shaken. The Roadrunners answered in the sixth with back-to-back home runs that rattled the Longhorns’ bullpen and brought the San Antonio faithful to their feet.

While UTSA’s bats were red-hot, Texas didn’t do itself any favors defensively. A critical throwing error in the seventh allowed two unearned runs to score, pushing the Roadrunners ahead 8–6. That error loomed large in the final outcome. Though Texas mounted a rally in the bottom of the eighth and trimmed the deficit to one, UTSA tacked on an insurance run in the ninth, then closed the door on a Texas comeback with a nail-biting final frame.

For Texas, the loss was more than just a stumble—it was a jarring reality check. The Longhorns entered the tournament riding a wave of momentum after winning the Big 12 regular season title and were considered one of the top contenders to reach Omaha. But against UTSA, their pitching faltered, their defense cracked, and their offense couldn’t find the clutch hit when it mattered most.

The night belonged to UTSA, who played with swagger, confidence, and grit. Sophomore infielder Nico Vargas had a career night, going 3-for-4 with a home run, two doubles, and four RBIs. Meanwhile, closer Mason Hunt delivered a gutsy 1.2-inning save, fending off a dangerous Texas lineup with runners in scoring position.

The loss doesn’t eliminate the Longhorns, but it puts them in a dangerous position. Texas now must fight its way through the loser’s bracket in the double-elimination regional format. To stay alive, they’ll have to win multiple games in as many days—no small feat with a taxed pitching staff and shaken confidence.

The Longhorns will now face the loser of the Dallas Baptist vs. Texas State game. With elimination looming, every pitch, every at-bat, and every defensive play will now be under a magnifying glass.

For UTSA, this game will live forever in program lore. The Roadrunners came into the Austin Regional as the lowest seed, written off by many as mere spoilers. Instead, they played with heart, capitalized on mistakes, and earned a spot in the winner’s bracket with the biggest win in school history.

For Texas, the loss is a bitter pill—especially at home, in front of a sold-out crowd. But the tournament isn’t over. The road is tougher now, and the margin for error is gone. One more stumble, and one of the most storied programs in college baseball could be headed home far earlier than expected.