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For Texas baseball player Casey Borba, Tuesday night's game against Sam Houston featured a homer and a hug.
As UT continued to chip away at a surprising six-run deficit at UFCU Disch-Falk Field, Borba's three-run home run in the fifth inning — launched to left field at a 45-degree angle — made it a one-run game in what ended up being a wild walk-off win that Carson Tinney sealed with a two-run shot in the ninth.
Texas Longhorns infielder Casey Borba (31) celebrates a home run during the game against Ole Miss at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, March 13, 2026 in Austin. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman)
After rounding the bases, Borba made his way back to the Texas dugout. But before he could partake in the Longhorns' post-homer traditions of running through a man-made tunnel in the dugout and a celebratory curtain call with fans, he was embraced by head coach Jim Schlossnagle.
MORE:Subscribe to the Statesman's Texas sports newsletter
While usually stoic, Schlossnagle had a reason to embrace his first baseman. Borba ranks on the team in home runs, but he hadn't hit one since March 31.
"I know he wants to do well for the team, and he's been struggling, but he's been working hard and the game rewarded him tonight," Schlossnagle said. "I was really happy to see, like, 1,000 pounds fall off his back."
Texas Longhorns infielder Casey Borba (31) swings at a pitch during the Lone Star Showdown against Texas A&M at Blue Bell Park on Friday, April 10, 2026 in College Station, Texas. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman)
NO. 4 TEXAS VS. NO. 10 MISSISSIPPI STATE
When/where: 6:30 p.m. Friday at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
TV/radio: SEC Network+; 1300 AM.
Borba entered his third college baseball season on a tear. Through the first 28 games, he was hitting .333 with a team-leading 32 RBIs. His 10 homers ranked 12th in the SEC and were tied with Aiden Robbins for the team lead.
But once the calendar flipped to April, Borba stalled.
Over the Longhorns' first 13 games of the month, Borba went 7-for-45 with five walks and four RBIs. He also had three four-strikeout games and his season-long on-base percentage dropped 54 points.
MORE:Midseason grades for Aiden Robbins, Casey Borba and the Longhorns
Schlossnagle assessed Borba's slump to possibly overcorrecting as coaches tried to get him to use more of the field while hitting. Borba admitted that he needed to rebuild his confidence.
"I got a little away from myself, got a little carried away," he said. "So, just trying to get back to my routines and being the player I am and trying to play for the team, putting it for the team first. So, just trying to get back to that and being there every day."
Schlossnagle gave Borba a breather during the start of Sunday's series finale at Vanderbilt. After not starting for the first time this season, Borba came off the bench in the seventh inning. He reached base twice in UT's extra-inning win in Nashville, then snapped his home run drought two days later.
"That was awesome," Tinney said of Borba's homer. "He's really just a warrior, he loves baseball, he's a grinder. He's constantly trying to improve, trying to make those fine adjustments to get better. It's really just a matter of time before it all comes together."
Added UT reliever Thomas Burns: "He hasn't had the results he wanted recently, but I see the work he puts in every day, and I'm willing to fail with him on the field any day."
Texas Longhorns infielder Casey Borba (31) steps up to bat during the game against Ole Miss at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, March 13, 2026 in Austin. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman)
While Borba has struggled with his confidence during his slump, don't expect him to get too overconfident after Tuesday's big swing. That mindset should be expected from a veteran on a team that leans heavily into the clichés, one of which is the concept that every day is Opening Day.
"(I've) just got to continue to show up every day and play for the team and trust myself and trust my ability," Borba said.
MORE:How Carson Tinney's 'weirdest' at-bat as a Longhorn set up a walk-off win
But the return of Borba's bat would certainly be welcomed as the Longhorns prepare for the NCAA postseason. With three weeks left in the regular season, Texas is No. 4 in the D1Baseball poll. The Longhorns (33-9, 13-7) are trying to catch No. 5 Georgia (35-11, 15-6) and No. 7 Texas A&M (34-8, 14-6) in the SEC standings.
This weekend, Texas welcomes No. 10 Mississippi State (35-10, 13-8) to Disch-Falk for a three-game series. Schlossnagle told reporters this week that the Bulldogs are "certainly an Omaha team."
"This will be the most complete team that we've played this season," Schlossnagle said. "A&M probably has the best offense that we've seen this season. Mississippi State has as good of an offense. ... Then they complement that with just a really, really good pitching staff."
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As UT continued to chip away at a surprising six-run deficit at UFCU Disch-Falk Field, Borba's three-run home run in the fifth inning — launched to left field at a 45-degree angle — made it a one-run game in what ended up being a wild walk-off win that Carson Tinney sealed with a two-run shot in the ninth.
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Texas Longhorns infielder Casey Borba (31) celebrates a home run during the game against Ole Miss at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, March 13, 2026 in Austin. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman)
After rounding the bases, Borba made his way back to the Texas dugout. But before he could partake in the Longhorns' post-homer traditions of running through a man-made tunnel in the dugout and a celebratory curtain call with fans, he was embraced by head coach Jim Schlossnagle.
MORE:Subscribe to the Statesman's Texas sports newsletter
While usually stoic, Schlossnagle had a reason to embrace his first baseman. Borba ranks on the team in home runs, but he hadn't hit one since March 31.
"I know he wants to do well for the team, and he's been struggling, but he's been working hard and the game rewarded him tonight," Schlossnagle said. "I was really happy to see, like, 1,000 pounds fall off his back."
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Texas Longhorns infielder Casey Borba (31) swings at a pitch during the Lone Star Showdown against Texas A&M at Blue Bell Park on Friday, April 10, 2026 in College Station, Texas. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman)
After hot start, Casey Borba worked his way through April slump
NO. 4 TEXAS VS. NO. 10 MISSISSIPPI STATE
When/where: 6:30 p.m. Friday at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
TV/radio: SEC Network+; 1300 AM.
Borba entered his third college baseball season on a tear. Through the first 28 games, he was hitting .333 with a team-leading 32 RBIs. His 10 homers ranked 12th in the SEC and were tied with Aiden Robbins for the team lead.
But once the calendar flipped to April, Borba stalled.
Over the Longhorns' first 13 games of the month, Borba went 7-for-45 with five walks and four RBIs. He also had three four-strikeout games and his season-long on-base percentage dropped 54 points.
MORE:Midseason grades for Aiden Robbins, Casey Borba and the Longhorns
Schlossnagle assessed Borba's slump to possibly overcorrecting as coaches tried to get him to use more of the field while hitting. Borba admitted that he needed to rebuild his confidence.
"I got a little away from myself, got a little carried away," he said. "So, just trying to get back to my routines and being the player I am and trying to play for the team, putting it for the team first. So, just trying to get back to that and being there every day."
Schlossnagle gave Borba a breather during the start of Sunday's series finale at Vanderbilt. After not starting for the first time this season, Borba came off the bench in the seventh inning. He reached base twice in UT's extra-inning win in Nashville, then snapped his home run drought two days later.
"That was awesome," Tinney said of Borba's homer. "He's really just a warrior, he loves baseball, he's a grinder. He's constantly trying to improve, trying to make those fine adjustments to get better. It's really just a matter of time before it all comes together."
Added UT reliever Thomas Burns: "He hasn't had the results he wanted recently, but I see the work he puts in every day, and I'm willing to fail with him on the field any day."
You must be registered for see images attach
Texas Longhorns infielder Casey Borba (31) steps up to bat during the game against Ole Miss at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, March 13, 2026 in Austin. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman)
Mississippi State is up next for Casey Borba, Texas
While Borba has struggled with his confidence during his slump, don't expect him to get too overconfident after Tuesday's big swing. That mindset should be expected from a veteran on a team that leans heavily into the clichés, one of which is the concept that every day is Opening Day.
"(I've) just got to continue to show up every day and play for the team and trust myself and trust my ability," Borba said.
MORE:How Carson Tinney's 'weirdest' at-bat as a Longhorn set up a walk-off win
But the return of Borba's bat would certainly be welcomed as the Longhorns prepare for the NCAA postseason. With three weeks left in the regular season, Texas is No. 4 in the D1Baseball poll. The Longhorns (33-9, 13-7) are trying to catch No. 5 Georgia (35-11, 15-6) and No. 7 Texas A&M (34-8, 14-6) in the SEC standings.
This weekend, Texas welcomes No. 10 Mississippi State (35-10, 13-8) to Disch-Falk for a three-game series. Schlossnagle told reporters this week that the Bulldogs are "certainly an Omaha team."
"This will be the most complete team that we've played this season," Schlossnagle said. "A&M probably has the best offense that we've seen this season. Mississippi State has as good of an offense. ... Then they complement that with just a really, really good pitching staff."
Continue reading...
