Texas baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle demanded maturation from his prized freshman when he arrived on campus. Outfielder Anthony Pack Jr. delivered it on his second collegiate swing.
Pack, a lefthanded batter, smoked an outside fastball from UC Davis starter Noel Valdez into the left-center field gap for the first of three hits in his debut. He reached base in all four of his plate appearances, driving in two runs and scoring two himself while stealing a base.
Article continues below this ad
Texas Longhorns infielder Adrian Rodriguez (24) slides home for a score during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns head coach Jim Schlossnagle talks UC Davis head coach Tommy Nicholson ahead of the game at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns pitcher Ruger Riojas (13) throws a pitch during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns outfielder Anthony Pack Jr. (6) misses a catch during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns outfielder Aiden Robbins (43) celebrates a home run during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns outfielder Anthony Pack Jr. (6) celebrates a hit for a double during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns outfielder Anthony Pack Jr. (6) throws the ball to the infield during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns outfielder Anthony Pack Jr. (6) swings at a pitch during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns infielder Adrian Rodriguez (24) slides home for a score during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns pitcher Ruger Riojas (13) misses a bunted ball during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns infielder Temo Becerra (1) swings at a pitch during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns outfielder Aiden Robbins (43) misses a catch during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns catcher Carson Tinney (8) leaves home plate after being walked during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns infielder Temo Becerra (1) throws the ball to first during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns infielder Temo Becerra (1) grabs a ground ball during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns pitcher Max Grubbs (38) throws a pitch during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns infielder Ethan Mendoza (5) swings at a pitch during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns infielder Josh Livingston (15) celebrates a score during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns head coach Jim Schlossnagle disputes a call with an official during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns infielder Adrian Rodriguez (24) and catcher Carson Tinney (8) celebrate a score during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns head coach Jim Schlossnagle watches from the dugout during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns catcher Carson Tinney (8) runs home after a hit during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin. The home run was overturned and called a foul ball.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns infielder Casey Borba (31) runs to second after a hit for a double during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns outfielder Aiden Robbins (43) steps up to bat during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns pitcher Ruger Riojas (13) throws a pitch during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns catcher Carson Tinney (8) swings at a pitch during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns infielder Adrian Rodriguez (24) throws the ball to first during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns catcher Carson Tinney (8) swings at a pitch during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns outfielder Aiden Robbins (43) celebrates a home run during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns outfielder Aiden Robbins (43) celebrates a home run during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns outfielder Anthony Pack Jr. (6) runs home for a score during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns outfielder Anthony Pack Jr. (6) celebrates a score during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
UC Davis outfielder Braydon Woolridge (27) misses a catch during the game against the Texas Longhorns at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns infielder Ethan Mendoza (5) swings at a pitch during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns pitcher Max Grubbs (38) throws a pitch during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns infielder Temo Becerra (1) steps up to bat during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns head coach Jim Schlossnagle talks UC Davis head coach Tommy Nicholson ahead of the game at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
“Really proud of him,” Schlossnagle said. “His first college hit, staying on the ball and hitting it the other way. That’s not something that he was really good at when he first got here.”
Texas Longhorns outfielder Anthony Pack Jr. (6) celebrates a hit for a double during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
“It’s called trust,” Pack added. “We just trust it deep and take the ball where it’s supposed to go.”
Article continues below this ad
If improvement comes that easily to Pack, it’s reasonable to wonder what he might be capable of in a Texas uniform. His introduction to Longhorns fans showed off a dynamic skillset. At 5-foot-10, 190 pounds, Pack said himself that he isn’t likely to become a home-run hero. But he’ll spray doubles to the gaps and wreak havoc with his speed.
After working a walk in his second plate appearance, Pack stepped into the batter’s box with the bases loaded against Mason Lerma, a lefthanded reliever who pitched to a dominant 1.01 ERA last season. With a two-strike count, he ripped a two-run single on a breaking ball down the right field line, then swiped a bag to get himself in scoring position.
MORE: Longhorns earn run-ruled win over UC Davis in season opener
Article continues below this ad
“He’s such a more mature player than he was when he came in,” fellow outfielder Aiden Robbins said. “And he showed it today.”
Pack, who closed his night with a bloop single to left field, wasn’t perfect — he misplayed a first-inning pop fly, deferring to second baseman Ethan Mendoza when he said he should have taken charge.
Still, he delivered a striking debut, raising every eyebrow inside UFCU Disch-Falk Field for Texas’ 12-2 season-opening win. Except, perhaps, his own.
“I wouldn’t say I surprised myself,” he said. “I just think I showed people what I can do, and I’m just going to keep working to have performances like that continuously.”
Article continues below this ad
MORE: Jim Schlossnagle is asking Texas baseball offense to change in 2026. Here’s how
A top-250 prospect in last year’s MLB Draft cycle, Pack’s decision to attend Texas gave Schlossnagle and his staff a major recruiting win. The player who signed in Pack’s slot, Ryan Weingartner of Penn State, received a signing bonus of $226,000. Pack, who had more leverage as a high school prospect, likely could have demanded more than that.
But Pack said he always dreamed about playing college baseball. And Friday night’s showing gave him a dream start.
It also laid down a marker as Texas works to decide on its best outfield combination. Robbins is locked in as UT’s centerfielder, but the corner outfield positions were both question marks coming into the season.
Article continues below this ad
Ashton Larson, an LSU transfer, got the start in left field and went 0-for-2 before he was replaced by Jayden Duplantier. Two-sport athlete Jonah Williams, who batted .327 last season as a freshman and often played right field, did not see any action Friday.
Schlossnagle said after the game that Williams is recovering from an injury and was available to hit, but not play defense. He predicted that he’ll be a full-go by next weekend.
Still, Schlossnagle admitted, Texas’ options at the outfield positions are limited. The Longhorns need production from players like Pack.
Article continues below this ad
“He’s fearless,” Schlossnagle said. “He doesn’t play scared. Some guys, even transfers, get in their first game in this environment and then play a little spooked. It’s a different player. Anthony, he looked like a better player tonight. He was playing with a lot of freedom and not afraid to make a mistake.”