Texas left Knoxville with a split in the final two games, but Tennessee took the series after winning the first two contests at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The fourth-ranked Longhorns responded with a strong offensive showing in Sunday’s finale, powered by Casey Borba’s huge day at the plate, but the Volunteers had already secured the weekend with wins on Friday and Saturday.
The series opened with a tough 5-1 loss for Texas on Friday night. Tennessee starter Tegan Kuhns was outstanding, striking out a career-high 15 batters over seven scoreless innings while limiting the Longhorns to four hits and one walk.
The Volunteers grabbed control early with three runs in the first two innings. Texas did get a spark from Aiden Robbins, who launched his team-best 19th home run of the season, but that was the only run the Longhorns could muster. Dylan Volantis took the loss after allowing three runs over five innings.
Saturday turned into a high-scoring battle, but Tennessee came out on top again, 14-9, to clinch the series. Texas jumped ahead 3-0 in the first inning, but the Volunteers answered with power of their own, hitting six home runs and scoring in every inning of the game.
Temo Becerra turned in one of the best performances of the weekend for Texas, finishing a triple shy of the cycle while matching a career high with four hits and driving in five runs. Casey Borba also homered for the Longhorns, but Tennessee kept answering and eventually pulled away late. Luke Harrison was charged with the loss after giving up four earned runs in 3 2/3 innings.
Texas closed the series on a high note with a 13-6 win on Sunday afternoon. Borba led the way with a monster performance, homering twice and driving in six runs, including a grand slam in the sixth inning that broke the game open.
The Longhorns also got home runs from Adrian Rodriguez and Anthony Pack Jr. as the offense erupted for 13 runs. On the mound, Ruger Riojas settled in after a rough first inning, and Haiden Leffew worked three scoreless innings in relief to earn the win.
Sunday’s victory gave Texas its 1,500th conference win, making the Longhorns the first college baseball program to reach that mark. It was a meaningful milestone for a program that has long set the standard in the sport.
Texas now returns home to finish the regular season against Missouri at UFCU Disch-Falk Field. The three-game series begins Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
