{"id":245898,"date":"2026-04-12T04:34:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T04:34:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/245898\/"},"modified":"2026-04-12T04:34:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T04:34:18","slug":"texas-beaten-by-baseball-rival-texas-am-in-jim-schlossnagles-return","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/245898\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas beaten by baseball rival Texas A&M in Jim Schlossnagle’s return"},"content":{"rendered":"

@austin_statesman<\/a> <\/p>\n

Jim Schlossnagle joined Texas after three seasons leading the Aggies, including three consecutive College World Series appearances and a one-win finish from a national title in 2024. But what has many of the fans in Aggieland fired up for this series \u2014 beyond the usual rivalry excitement \u2014 is the return of a coach many still feel scorned by.<\/p>\n

\u266c original sound – Austin American-Statesman<\/a> <\/p>\n

COLLEGE STATION \u2014 It\u2019s unlikely that Jim Schlossnagle needed a reminder that he doesn\u2019t work at\u00a0Texas A&M<\/a> anymore. The Texas baseball<\/a> coach received one anyway during the Longhorns’ pregame batting practice Friday at Blue Bell Park.<\/p>\n

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“That\u2019s not your dugout anymore, idiot!” a Texas A&M student yelled from the stands as Schlossnagle approached the Aggies’ dugout to greet an acquaintance.<\/p>\n

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\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas A&M fans heckle Texas Longhorns head coach Jim Schlossnagle during the Lone Star Showdown at Blue Bell Park on Friday, April 10, 2026 in College Station, Texas.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n

As expected, Schlossnagle did not receive a warm welcome during Friday’s return to the campus on which he worked from 2022-24. In addition to being jeered throughout the night, Schlossnagle also watched as No. 2 Texas dropped\u00a0a 9-8 game to the home team<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas A&M fans celebrate a score by infielder Nico Partida (2) during the Lone Star Showdown against Texas at Blue Bell Park on Friday, April 10, 2026 in College Station, Texas.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas A&M infielders Boston Kellner (6) and Chris Hacopian (8) celebrate beating the Texas Longhorns in game one of the Lone Star Showdown at Blue Bell Park on Friday, April 10, 2026 in College Station, Texas.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n

GOLDEN: Aggies scored a 1st-round knockdown but Texas baseball is far from out<\/a><\/p>\n

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Friday was a night that was 654 days in the making. On June 25, 2024<\/a> \u2014 one day after Texas A&M was beaten by Tennessee in the decisive championship game of the College World Series \u2014 Schlossnagle left the Aggies for their in-state rival. Since Schlossnagle isn’t habitually online and the SEC set Austin as the site for last year’s Lone Star Showdown series, most Aggie fans had to wait to let their former coach know exactly how they felt.<\/p>\n

Now, what happened Friday didn’t come close to resembling the scene that met the Texas men’s basketball team in 2022 for Chris Beard’s first trip back to Lubbock\u00a0after abandoning the Red Raiders<\/a>. But the 12th Man also didn’t let Schlossnagle off easy like Mississippi State fans<\/a> did in 2025 with Texas women’s basketball coach Vic Schaefer.<\/p>\n

Texas coach Jim Schlossnagle is greeted by Texas A&M fans ahead of his first game back at Blue Bell Park since he left the Aggies for their in-state rival following the 2024 season. #HookEm<\/a> #GigEm<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/R1w4zGJ1tf<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Danny Davis (@_dannydavis) April 10, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Schlossnagle was loudly booed throughout the night. He was booed while greeting A&M coach Michael Earley and the umpires at home plate before the game. He was booed during each of UT’s four pitching changes, a sea of bubbles showering Schlossnagle on two of those mound visits since they came after the Aggies had scored a run.<\/p>\n

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After the game, Schlossnagle shrugged off the reception received from the fan base for which he won 135 games. He said he had enjoyed seeing some familiar faces in College Station, but has accepted that many Aggies now see him as a foe, not a friend.<\/p>\n

“This is just baseball to me,” he said. “The fans are going to be fans. The fans here are great, they cheer for their team and they certainly have their opinion on Texas and me. And that’s OK, it’s going to be that way for as long as I’m coaching, I’m sure. That doesn’t affect me. I don’t think about it, I don’t hear it (while) coaching the team.”<\/p>\n

\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns pitcher Ruger Riojas (13) celebrates a strikeout during the Lone Star Showdown against Texas A&M at Blue Bell Park on Friday, April 10, 2026 in College Station, Texas.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n

Texas undone by its own miscues in series opener<\/p>\n

Normally, Texas would fulfill its postgame media obligations for a road game outside the visitor’s dugout. But due to concerns about the postgame environment Friday night, the Longhorns returned to their team hotel and media members instead met with Schlossnagle and players Carson Tinney<\/a> and Aiden Robbins over a Zoom call.<\/p>\n

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MORE: Subscribe to the Statesman’s Texas sports newsletter<\/a><\/p>\n

While speaking with reporters, Schlossnagle expressed more concern with his team’s performance than how he was greeted by A&M fans. As Texas (27-6, 9-4) dropped its fourth SEC series opener of the season, five UT pitchers combined to issue seven walks. Two of those walks came with the bases loaded. Four of A&M’s last five runs were scored by a runner who got on board with a free pass.<\/p>\n

\"Fans<\/p>\n

Fans watch the Texas Longhorns play Texas A&M in the Lone Star Showdown at Blue Bell Park on Friday, April 10, 2026 in College Station, Texas.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n

The Aggies’ decisive run also was scored on an eighth-inning error by Texas third baseman Casey Borba. The Longhorns’ loss overshadowed a 10-hit night for their offense in which Robbins homered twice and both Tinney and Anthony Pack Jr. went deep as well.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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With the loss, Texas had a three-game winning streak snapped over Texas A&M. The Longhorns swept the Aggies in Austin last season.<\/p>\n

\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns head coach Jim Schlossnagle meets Texas A&M head coach Michael Earley ahead of the Lone Star Showdown at Blue Bell Park on Friday, April 10, 2026 in College Station, Texas.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n

Texas A&M tries to not put much stock into Schlossnagle’s return<\/p>\n

Like Schlossnagle did in defeat, Texas A&M (26-7, 8-5) also tried to downplay the overall significance of Friday’s victory<\/a>. While huddling with reporters in the A&M dugout afterward, Earley replied that a “SEC win’s a SEC win” when he was asked if this win felt different than others.<\/p>\n

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MORE: Texas coach Jim Schlossnagle is uninterested in ESPN’s midgame interview<\/a><\/p>\n

A&M first baseman Gavin Grahovac, though, partially conceded that this wasn’t just a Tuesday triumph over Sam Houston or even a conference conquest against a team like Vanderbilt or Missouri. Grahovac was responsible for two of the Aggies’ seven hits and he also brought a teammate home with a sacrifice fly.<\/p>\n

“Everyone showed up. Everyone knew what this meant to the 12th Man, knew what it meant to us,” \u00a0Grahovac said. “We’ve got to win ball games. Doesn’t matter who’s over there. We’ve got to win ball games and execute at a high level.”<\/p>\n

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Grahovac was one of three Aggies who played in Friday’s game who also once played for Schlossnagle. Texas A&M starting pitcher Shane Sdao and center fielder also played for Schlossnagle.<\/p>\n