Longhorns Prepare for Historic Showdown with Ole Miss
The Texas baseball team, ranked No. 2, will host Ole Miss in a three-game series beginning March 13, 2026, aiming to extend its unbeaten streak and honor alumni.
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The Texas baseball team, ranked No. 2, will host Ole Miss in a three-game series beginning March 13, 2026, aiming to extend its unbeaten streak and honor alumni.

Freshman right‑hander Sam Cozart delivered a clutch performance on Tuesday night, striking out Oregon’s Ryan Cooney in a 6‑5 thriller that propelled the Texas Longhorns into the next round of the College World Series. The victory marks the fourth time in the past decade that Texas has advanced to the series, underscoring the program’s resurgence under coach Mark Wasikowski. Cozart, who finished the season with a 1.65 earned run average and 71 strikeouts, has quickly become a cornerstone of the Longhorns’ rotation, drawing praise from teammates and analysts alike. The young pitcher’s older brother, Jacob Cozart, previously tasted the College World Series stage, and Sam now eyes a national title as a means to surpass his sibling’s achievement. Next up, Texas will meet Georgia in a showdown that could rewrite the narrative of a family’s baseball lineage, with the championship on the horizon. The accolade of National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year further cements Cozart’s rapid ascent, a feat highlighted in coverage by ESPN and supported by betting platforms such as DraftKings. Coach Augie and senior pitcher Luke Harrison are among the staff guiding the squad, while Adrian Rodriguez and Michelle Cozart have been vocal supporters from the stands. The upcoming games will be staged in Omaha, Nebraska, a venue that has hosted the series for decades, adding another layer of tradition to the contest. Fans across the United States, from Austin to the heartland, are tuning in, eager to witness whether the Cozart brothers can etch their names into college baseball lore.

A dramatic two‑inning save against Oregon sends the Longhorns to face Georgia in the College World Series, where Sam Cozart hopes to surpass his brother Jacob's achievements.

Freshman reliever Sam Cozart earns top national honor as Texas prepares for a championship run in Omaha.

A true freshman and Texas Longhorns closer, Sam Cozart, has been named the 2026 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year, joining a select group of program legends.

The accolade underscores Cozart's dominant performance, placing him among the most celebrated pitchers in Division I history.

Georgia pitcher Caden Aoki, a 6‑0, 185‑pound right‑hander from Huntington Beach, is one of six finalists for the 2026 NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award, given to the premier relief pitcher in Division I baseball. His 9‑1 record, 3.86 ERA and three saves helped the Bulldogs capture the SEC regular‑season and tournament titles and the Athens Regional, setting the stage for a showdown in Omaha.

The Texas left‑hander ranks first nationally in WHIP and batting average against, and his performance in SEC play has put him in the conversation for both the Stopper and Freshman of the Year honors.

Sam Cozart, a 6‑foot‑6 right‑hander for the Texas Longhorns, becomes the first freshman ever to be a finalist for the Stopper of the Year Award, highlighting a breakout season marked by elite statistics and conference dominance.

Five Texas Longhorns were recognized by the SEC for their outstanding performances, highlighted by Anthony Pack Jr.'s Freshman of the Year award and standout contributions from Aiden Robbins, Dylan Volantis, Sam Cozart and Carson Tinney

The Texas Longhorns' relief corps is more than a collection of arms; it's a vibrant community that mixes music, dance and camaraderie with a relentless drive to win.