Texas Baseball Stunned in Austin: UTSA Upsets No. 2 Longhorns in Shocking Regional Finale

The air in Austin was heavy with anticipation as the Texas Longhorns, ranked No. 2 nationally, took the field in the finale of the NCAA Austin Regional. But that anticipation quickly gave way to disbelief, as the unheralded UTSA Roadrunners pulled off one of the most shocking upsets in recent college baseball history, defeating the heavily favored Longhorns and ending their postseason run in heartbreaking fashion.

Texas, with its storied baseball tradition, deep pitching staff, and a lineup full of power and experience, entered the regional as a favorite not just to advance, but to make a serious run at the College World Series. Instead, the Roadrunners, a team that had been overlooked by many experts, played with heart, grit, and zero fear, stunning the home crowd with a dramatic and well-earned 7–5 victory.

UTSA came out aggressive from the first pitch, determined to set the tone. They jumped on Texas starter Luke Harrison early, stringing together timely hits and capitalizing on defensive miscues. By the third inning, they had built a 4–1 lead, and the whispers of a potential upset started swirling through UFCU Disch-Falk Field.

Texas responded in the middle innings, sparked by a two-run homer from designated hitter Jared Thomas, cutting the deficit to 4–3. The crowd came alive. It felt like momentum was shifting. But UTSA refused to blink.

In the sixth, Roadrunners shortstop Matt King crushed a solo shot to left field, quieting the stadium once more. A few batters later, they tacked on another run, stretching their lead to 6–3. Every time Texas clawed back, UTSA answered with ferocity and precision.

Longhorns head coach David Pierce tried everything — strategic bullpen changes, pinch hitters, aggressive baserunning — but nothing seemed to rattle the Roadrunners.

Down 7–4 in the ninth, Texas mounted one last charge. With runners on second and third and only one out, the Longhorns seemed poised for another legendary comeback. But UTSA closer Simon Miller had other plans. He induced a shallow flyout before striking out the final batter, sending the Roadrunners pouring onto the field in celebration.

UTSA’s bench erupted, throwing gloves into the air and mobbing Miller on the mound. Meanwhile, the Longhorns stood in stunned silence, their dreams of Omaha dashed in front of their home crowd.

For the Roadrunners, this victory is more than just a win — it’s a statement. A program that’s often lived in the shadow of its bigger in-state counterparts just toppled one of college baseball’s blue bloods. Head coach Pat Hallmark, a former Texas assistant, called the win “the most meaningful moment of my coaching career.”

Our guys believed,” Hallmark said after the game. “They weren’t intimidated by the moment. They knew Texas was good — really good — but they also knew they could beat them if they played our brand of baseball. And tonight, they did exactly that.”

King, who finished 3-for-5 with a home run and two RBIs, echoed that sentiment: “We weren’t scared. We weren’t supposed to win, but we didn’t care. We just kept fighting.”

They had championship aspirations and the roster to back it up. Yet, when it mattered most, they were outplayed by a scrappier, more determined opponent. Pitching inconsistencies and untimely defensive lapses plagued Texas throughout the game — and UTSA made them pay.

The Longhorns finish the season with a 45–13 record, but that number offers little solace right now. Expectations in Austin are high, and early exits like this one tend to echo loudly.

As Texas regroups and looks toward next season, questions will arise about roster turnover, coaching strategy, and how to ensure this type of collapse doesn’t happen again.

For UTSA, meanwhile, the fairytale continues. With this monumental upset under their belts, they advance to the Super Regional for the first time in school history, riding a wave of belief and momentum.