Texas Longhorns baseball reaches No. 1 nationally
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Texas' Ethan Mendoza hits against Georgia this month. Photo: David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Longhorns baseball squad this week ascended to No. 1 nationally — and has some key matchups ahead.
Why it matters: Operating under a new head coach, the storied Longhorns program is ranked No. 1 for the first time since 2022.
Catch up quick: In its inaugural campaign under Jim Schlossnagle, Texas at 30-5 is off to its best 35-game start since 2004. The team's 13-2 in the SEC.
- The Longhorns began the year ranked No. 19 before their steady march up the standings.
- UT is paced by the hitting consistency of second baseman Ethan Mendoza, the slugging of outfielder Will Gasparino and the hurling of ace lefty Jared Spencer and bullpen star Max Grubbs.
Between the lines: The Longhorns are patient enough to work pitchers. As of April 16, they sit second nationally (to Notre Dame) in pitches per plate appearance, averaging 4.08.
Yes, but: The Longhorns have endured some recent injuries, including to Mendoza and outfielder Max Belyeu, last year's Big 12 Player of the Year.
What they're saying: "Where we are offensively, we're down a couple of bats that are good but are also bats that change the game with one swing," Schlossnagle told reporters this week.
- "And so when you lose some of that, then you're going to have to play really good situational baseball. The scores of the games can be a little closer and a little more tight. Baseball itself doesn't lend itself to winning all those games."
State of play: The Longhorns host eighth-ranked Auburn on Thursday night in a major test.
Flashback: The matchup marks the first head-to-head contest between the the Auburn Tigers and the Longhorns in Austin since a doubleheader in 1912.
What we're watching: UT plays Auburn on Thursday at 7pm, Friday at 6pm — those games are sold out — and Saturday at noon. Tickets start at $9.
The intrigue: Schlossnagle, only the sixth Longhorns head baseball coach since 1911, hosts the last team he helmed — Texas A&M — in Austin on April 25, 26 and 27.
- He left the Aggies for the Longhorns just a day after A&M lost in last season's national championship series.
What's next: The NCAA postseason tournament kicks off at the end of May, with the College World Series starting in mid-June in Omaha.