The No. 2 Texas Longhorns and South Carolina Gamecocks renew an historic rivalry, for the first time as conference opponents, when they square off in a three-game series at Founders Park in Columbia beginning Thursday night. First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m. CST, with the opener being broadcast live on the SEC Network.
The two programs carry plenty of shared history into the weekend, just never with conference stakes attached. The Longhorns have dominated the all-time series, winning seven of the nine prior meetings, including two of the most memorable moments in college baseball history. Texas clinched national championships against the Gamecocks in both 1975 and 2002, defeating them 5-1 on June 14, 1975, and then again 12-6 on June 22, 2002, to capture their fifth title. Now playing as SEC rivals for the first time, both programs know the weight, and the history, this series carries.
This marks just the second trip to Founders Park for Texas, which previously visited Columbia for a non-conference set in 2022.
Pitching Probables
Texas sends out one of the most formidable rotations in the country, with all three starters yet to taste a loss this season.
Thursday – RHP Ruger Riojas (5-0, 1.59 ERA) vs. LHP Alex Valentin (1-2, 3.91 ERA)
Friday – LHP Luke Harrison (3-0, 2.65 ERA) vs. RHP Josh Gunther (2-2, 6.97 ERA)
Saturday – LHP Dylan Volantis (3-0, 2.08 ERA) vs. RHP Amp Phillips (2-3, 2.68 ERA)
Riojas leads the way Thursday with a sparkling 1.59 ERA across five dominant starts, while Volantis is arguably the most electric arm of the weekend, boasting a 2.08 ERA in Sunday’s rubber match. South Carolina’s Amp Phillips, has a 2.68 ERA makes him the Gamecocks’ most reliable arm of the three.
How to Watch/Listen
Thursday: SEC Network, 6:00 p.m. CST
Friday & Saturday: SEC Network+, 6:00 p.m. CST / 1:00 p.m. CST (Saturday)
Radio: 103.1 FM
Live Stats: texas.statbroadcast.com
