Longhorns lose lead, fall to Tennessee 7-5 in extra innings at SEC tournament

The Texas Longhorns came into the SEC Baseball Tournament looking to make a statement, but instead, they walked away with heartbreak after a grueling 12-inning battle against the Tennessee Volunteers. Leading for much of the game, Texas watched its advantage slip away in the late innings before Tennessee secured a 7-5 victory in extra innings to eliminate the Longhorns from the tournament.

It was a game that had everything—dominant pitching stretches, clutch hitting, defensive miscues, and strategic decisions that will be scrutinized for days. But at the end of the night in Hoover, Alabama, it was Tennessee who advanced, while Texas was left to reckon with a collapse that could have ripple effects heading into NCAA Tournament play.

Strong Start Overshadowed by Late-Game Collapse

For the first five innings, the Longhorns played with the poise and efficiency of a team ready to challenge for the SEC crown. Starting pitcher Travis Sthele delivered five solid innings, allowing just two runs while striking out six. The Texas offense gave him early support with a three-run second inning, highlighted by a two-RBI double from freshman phenom Jared Thomas and a sacrifice fly from Dylan Campbell.

By the top of the sixth, Texas had extended its lead to 5-2, courtesy of a solo home run from first baseman Garret Guillemette. The Longhorns appeared in control, their bats clicking and their defense backing up efficient pitching.

But that’s when the tide began to shift.

Tennessee’s Comeback: Inning by Inning

Tennessee chipped away at the Texas lead in the bottom of the sixth when Christian Moore launched a solo shot into the left-field stands to cut the lead to 5-3. In the seventh, a passed ball and subsequent RBI single from Blake Burke brought the Volunteers within one. Momentum had clearly shifted, and Tennessee capitalized.

Texas head coach David Pierce made a bold call to bring in closer Andre Duplantier II in the eighth for a six-out save attempt. Initially, the move appeared wise—Duplantier retired the side in order in the eighth. But in the ninth, with two outs and a runner on second, Tennessee’s Maui Ahuna ripped a game-tying RBI single to right field, electrifying the Volunteer faithful and sending the game to extra innings.

Extra Innings Drama Unfolds

The tension only mounted as both teams failed to score in the 10th and 11th innings. Texas had its chances, putting two runners on in the top of the 10th, but couldn’t capitalize as Tennessee’s bullpen held firm. Both teams played tight, error-free defense during those frames, making every at-bat feel consequential.

In the bottom of the 12th, with two outs and runners on first and second, Tennessee’s Hunter Ensley stepped to the plate. On a 2-2 pitch, Ensley laced a double down the right-field line. Both runners scored, sealing the 7-5 walk-off win for the Volunteers and ending the Longhorns’ tournament hopes.

Postgame Reactions: Disappointment and Reflection

The Texas locker room was somber after the game. Coach Pierce, addressing reporters, didn’t hide his disappointment.

“We didn’t finish the job. We had them where we wanted, but credit to Tennessee—they kept swinging and made us pay for every mistake,” said Pierce.

Senior outfielder Eric Kennedy echoed the sentiment, saying, “It stings. We fought hard but didn’t execute late. We’ll learn from this and get ready for the next challenge.”

Meanwhile, Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello praised his team’s resilience.

“This group doesn’t quit. They’ve got heart, and they’ve been in these kinds of battles before. I’m proud of the way they stayed in it,” Vitello said.

Key Stats and Turning Points

Longhorns’ Missed Opportunities:

• Texas left 12 runners on base throughout the game, including key chances in the 10th and 11th innings.
• The Longhorns were just 3-for-14 with runners in scoring position.

Vols’ Timely Hitting:

• Tennessee had five extra-base hits compared to Texas’ two, including two clutch doubles in the late innings.
• Christian Moore and Hunter Ensley each had three hits and combined for four RBIs.

Pitching Decisions:

• David Pierce’s decision to extend Duplantier into the ninth was questioned after the closer gave up the tying run.
• Tennessee’s bullpen tossed five shutout innings, allowing just three hits over that span.

Implications for the Longhorns

While the SEC Tournament exit stings, Texas isn’t out of the postseason picture. With a solid regular-season résumé and strong RPI, the Longhorns are expected to earn an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament. However, their inconsistent bullpen performance and late-game lapses remain a concern.

This loss also raises questions about Texas’ mental toughness in close games. It was the third time in six weeks that the Longhorns lost a lead in the final two innings, a troubling trend for a team with College World Series ambitions.

“We’ve got the talent,” said Pierce. “But if we want to make a run in June, we’ve got to finish games better than we did tonight.”

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Texas

With the NCAA Tournament field set to be announced soon, the Longhorns will shift their focus to preparation. Key areas of emphasis will include:

• Bullpen consistency: Who can Pierce trust to close out tight games?
• Situational hitting: The inability to drive in runners late doomed Texas against Tennessee.
• Mental reset: Recovering from the emotional drain of such a loss is vital.

Texas could land a No. 2 seed in a regional, depending on how other conference tournaments shake out. If so, the Longhorns may be forced to travel, making their path to Omaha even more difficult.

Volunteers March On

Tennessee, meanwhile, continues to impress as one of the most battle-tested teams in the SEC. With their win over Texas, the Volunteers advanced to the semifinals and positioned themselves well for a potential national seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Vitello’s squad has shown the ability to win in different ways—through power hitting, small ball, or resilient pitching. That versatility makes them a dangerous out in postseason play.

“We’ve faced adversity all year,” said Moore. “We believe in each other, and nights like this prove we can beat anyone.”

Final Thoughts

The Texas Longhorns had the game in their grasp—up 5-2 in the sixth inning with a reliable closer on the mound. But in postseason baseball, every pitch, every at-bat, every defensive play is magnified. The inability to close the door, combined with Tennessee’s relentless grit, flipped the script.

While the loss will sting, the Longhorns have no choice but to regroup quickly. The road to Omaha is still open—but it just got a whole lot tougher.

If you’d like, I can also draft a follow-up piece previewing Texas’ potential NCAA Regional opponents or a breakdown of where the loss to Tennessee leaves them in terms of seeding.