As a sign of gratitude for the work that his infielders did behind him in Thursday’s 6-3 win over Missouri, Texas baseball pitcher Dylan Volantis said he might treat those guys to some Chick-fil-A.
But after recording four defensive assists at third base, Casey Borba will probably have to decline. After the win that left Texas (38-12, 17-10) alone in second place in the SEC standings, Borba told reporters that he cut late-night trips to Chick-fil-A from his routine last summer as he prepared for his junior year.
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There’s no doubt, though, that Borba earned himself a waffle fry or two. Offensively, his two-run homer at UFCU Disch-Falk Field was the night’s biggest swing. A 40-time starter at first base this season, Borba made a few nice plays after being moved across the diamond Thursday as Texas reshuffled its infield in the wake of second baseman Ethan Mendoza’s shoulder injury.
Texas Longhorns infielder Casey Borba (31) swings at a pitch during the game against Missouri at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Thursday, May. 14, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Borba, who started at third last season, returned to his old position for a few games last month when Temo Becerra replaced an injured Adrian Rodriguez at shortstop (Becerra played second base against Missouri). So having familiarity at third certainly helped Thursday. Texas coach Jim Schlossnagle, though, also said the work that Borba put in over the summer should also be credited for his highlights against Missouri.
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“So many players today don’t spend time on their body,” Schlossnagle said. “We felt like last summer … (he needed to) spend a summer on his body, try to move a little better, be a little lighter. He did that out in California, and did a great job. You see that in how he plays both first and third base.”
Borba played with the San Luis Obispo Blues in the California Collegiate League following his freshman year, but he didn’t join a summer-league team last summer. Instead, he returned home to California and worked out six days a week while focusing on strength training, speed drills and core workouts. He also traded those late-night trips to Chick-fil-A for a more nutritious diet that centered around meat, rice and vegetables.
Like last season, Borba is still listed at 210 pounds on the UT roster. He said he has more muscle on his 6-foot-1 frame, though.
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“I definitely feel different,” Borba said. “I feel like I’m moving better and I’m definitely more flexible too. That’s a big thing.”
Texas Longhorns infielder Casey Borba (31) grabs a ground ball during the game against Ole Miss at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, March 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Will Texas have more players opt for workouts over summer baseball?
Borba’s homer off Missouri reliever Dane Bjorn was his 16th of the season. He has now gone deep four times over his last three games, and his 32 career homers are tied for eighth in the Texas record books.
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Since things have worked out for Borba, will Texas start to ask more of its players to focus on the weight room instead of summer ball? Schlossnagle said Thursday that summer plans haven’t yet been finalized for UT’s returning position players — none of Texas’ pitchers will play this summer — but those Longhorns will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Some players need to play.
Borba had started 46 times during a 2025 season that featured 162 at-bats, so more baseball wasn’t a priority for him last summer.
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“I thought it was good (to not play last summer),” Borba said. “Body takes a toll after the season, so just being able to really focus on that and getting recovered and working on my body and being able to get stronger and faster, I feel like that was key and feel like it’s helped me a ton.”