Over the first 34 games of its season, Texas baseball started four different players in right field.

Aside from pitcher and designated hitter, no other position in the Texas lineup had used more than three starters. Jayden Duplantier (16 starts) had played the most in right field, but Anthony Pack Jr. (13 starts), Jonah Williams (four starts) and Maddox Monsour (one start) also spent some time in that corner of the outfield.

Dariyan Pendergrass added his name to the mix Tuesday. Used as a pinch-runner and late-inning defensive replacement over his first five appearances this season, Pendergrass made his first-ever start for the Longhorns in their 14-7 win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.

At the plate, Pendergrass went 1-for-2 and drew a walk. He also drove in three runs. 

“(We were) just trying to play better defense in the outfield, mainly,” Texas coach Jim Schlossnagle said. “Dariyan, he’s been a successful college player. He definitely knows who he is. We’ve been talking a lot about self-awareness lately with our offense and kind of knowing who you are and starring in your role within the offense. And Dariyan is a guy who’s played a lot of college baseball, and he’s now finally healthy enough. He’s been dealing with an injury since he came to Austin and is finally healthy enough to where he can help us a little bit.”

Against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Pendergrass replaced Duplantier in right field while Pack made his 22nd start in left field and Aiden Robbins maintained his established role as UT’s center fielder. Afterwards, Schlossnagle wasn’t willing to commit to what his outfield will look like when No. 4 Texas (28-7, 9-5) opens a three-game series against No. 11 Alabama (27-11, 8-7) on Friday.

“Let’s just see how it plays out,” Schlossnagle said. “I think we might be able to play some matchups and do some different things.”

Pendergrass spent his first four years of college at Spartanburg Methodist and the College of Charleston. Last season, his 43 steals ranked eighth nationally.

After entering the transfer portal following the 2025 season, Pendergrass said he received some interest from smaller schools but decided to wait things out. Schlossnagle reached out during the fall, and he joined the Longhorns in December.

Pendergrass was used sparingly over the first two months of this season. He appeared as a pinch-runner against Michigan State on Feb. 22, Oklahoma on March 27 and South Carolina on April 3, and he played briefly in the field against Oklahoma on March 28 and Texas State on March 31. Pendergrass, though, finally got his chance against the Islanders.

“I’m always ready when my number’s called, and I’ll be ready when I get in there,” Pendergrass said.