Austin, Texas- In one of the most dramatic upsets of the 2025 NCAA Baseball Tournament so far, the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) stunned national No. 2 seed Texas in the Austin Regional, advancing to the NCAA Super Regional round for the first time in program history. In a defining moment for UTSA baseball, the Roadrunners delivered a near-flawless performance on Sunday, defeating Texas 7-4 and capping off a perfect 3-0 regional run.
The Austin Regional, hosted at UFCU Disch-Falk Field in Austin, was expected to be dominated by the home team Longhorns. Instead, it was the underdog UTSA squad that stole the spotlight, with stellar pitching, timely hitting, and clutch defensive plays propelling them to their historic achievement.
Pitching was a critical factor in UTSA’s triumph. Starting pitcher Gunnar Brown set the tone early, holding the high-powered Texas offense to just one run over five strong innings. The bullpen backed him up effectively, with Connor Kelley and Robert Orloski closing the door on the Longhorns’ comeback attempts. Kelley bridged the middle innings with minimal damage, and Orloski secured the final outs with command and composure, even striking out the final batter to clinch the victory.
Offensively, UTSA capitalized on every opportunity. Norris McClure delivered a game-changing two-run homer in the third inning, silencing the home crowd and giving UTSA a lead they never relinquished. In the fifth, Ty Hodge cleared the bases with a three-run double, extending the lead to a commanding 6-1. Mason Lytle added a crucial insurance run in the seventh with an RBI single and made a momentum-saving diving catch in center field later that inning, showcasing UTSA’s all-around dominance.
The Roadrunners’ run through the regional wasn’t just about one game. They opened with a solid 5-2 win over Kansas State and then shocked the Longhorns 4-3 in their second matchup. The back-to-back wins against a top-seeded host program, especially one with Texas’s national pedigree, marked UTSA as one of the tournament’s emerging Cinderella stories.
This postseason success is especially meaningful for UTSA, which had previously been 0-6 in NCAA tournament play. Under head coach Pat Hallmark, the Roadrunners have built steadily over the past few seasons, and 2025 has now become a breakthrough campaign. Their advancement to the Super Regional marks a new chapter for a program that has long strived to make its mark on the national stage.
Meanwhile, the loss is a bitter disappointment for Texas, a team many predicted would make a deep run to Omaha. The Longhorns had entered the regional with high expectations and a talented roster but were ultimately outplayed by a determined and disciplined UTSA squad.
With the win, UTSA now advances to the Super Regional round, set to begin June 6. The Roadrunners will face another powerhouse opponent with a chance to punch their ticket to the Men’s College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. While their opponent has yet to be finalized, UTSA enters the next round with confidence, momentum, and the belief that they belong among the nation’s best.
The 2025 NCAA Baseball Tournament has already seen its share of surprises, but few have matched the drama and significance of UTSA’s rise. As the field narrows and the stakes rise, all eyes will be on the Roadrunners to see if this underdog story continues to unfold. Whether or not they reach Omaha, UTSA has made history—and they’ve done it on their own terms.
This win not only elevates the profile of UTSA baseball but also shakes up the national bracket, proving once again that in the NCAA tournament, anything is possible.
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