Mar. 13, 2026 at 8:18pm

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Ole Miss and No. 2 Texas will play a three-game series in Austin this weekend to kick off SEC baseball action. The last time the two programs met in the Texas capital city was in April 1912, over a century ago. This matchup features two of the top pitching staffs in the country, with Ole Miss’ Cade Townsend and Texas’ Ruger Riojas and Dylan Volantis all boasting sub-2.00 ERAs.

Why it matters

This SEC opening weekend series is an intriguing early-season clash between two top college baseball programs. The pitching matchups promise to be a highlight, as both teams have dominant starters who will look to set the tone for their squads. The history between these programs, with their last meeting in Austin over a century ago, also adds an interesting historical element to the series.

The details

Ole Miss (15-3) and No. 2 Texas (16-0) will play a three-game set in Austin this weekend to kick off SEC play. The last time these two programs met in the Texas capital was on April 9, 1912, over 114 years ago. Prior to the last two meetings in Arlington, the last time they played on campus was the 2005 Super Regional in Oxford. Ole Miss’ Saturday starter Cade Townsend boasts a nation-leading 0.48 ERA, while Texas’ Friday and Saturday starters Ruger Riojas and Dylan Volantis both have sub-2.00 ERAs.

The last time Ole Miss and Texas played in Austin was on April 9, 1912.The two teams last met during the opening weekend last season in Arlington.
The players

Cade Townsend

Ole Miss’ Saturday starter with a nation-leading 0.48 ERA.

Ruger Riojas

Texas’ Friday starter with a 1.23 ERA and SEC-leading 42 strikeouts.

Dylan Volantis

Texas’ Saturday starter with a 1.54 ERA.

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What’s next

The series will be broadcast on SEC Network+ with the Friday game at 6:30 p.m. CT, Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT, and Sunday at 1 p.m. CT.

The takeaway

This early-season SEC matchup between Ole Miss and No. 2 Texas promises to be a pitchers’ duel, with both teams boasting dominant starting rotations. The historical significance of the teams’ first meeting in Austin in over a century adds an intriguing element to the series.