The Texas Longhorns opened the 2026 College World Series with a 7‑1 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs, extending their opening‑game skid to six consecutive defeats. The game, played in front of a packed crowd in Austin, Texas, saw the Bulldogs jump out early and never look back.
Volchko’s Dominance Sets the Tone
Georgia’s left‑hander Joey Volchko was untouchable, fanning 15 Longhorn batters while surrendering only an unearned run. His command was evident from the first inning, as he retired the side in order and kept Texas hitless through the first four frames.
The Bulldogs struck first, plating two runs on a two‑run homer by Rylan Lujo before the Longhorns could muster a hit. Additional runs came in the seventh as defensive lapses turned routine grounders into extra bases, compounding Texas’s woes.
Texas head coach Jim Schlossnagle called the defense the worst of the season, noting throwing miscues that allowed runs to score and describing the team’s overall execution as ‘unacceptable.’ He praised the effort of his pitchers but emphasized that the errors were self‑inflicted.
The Longhorns now turn their attention to an elimination game against the Alabama Crimson Tide, scheduled for Monday at 1 p.m. CT and streamed live on ESPN. A loss would spell the end of their 2026 season, making the upcoming matchup a must‑win for Texas.