The University of Texas began varsity intercollegiate competition in baseball in 1894. Texas is the winningest NCAA Division I college baseball program of all time[2] in terms of win percentage, with an all-time win–loss record of 3696–1396–32 (.724) as of the end of the 2022 season, including a 3526–1248–28 (.737) versus collegiate opponents. The Longhorns rank second in all-time wins, behind the Fordham Rams. Texas has won 80 regular-season conference championships and 16 conference tournament championships in baseball.[3]
The Longhorns have won six NCAA baseball national championships (1949, 1950, 1975, 1983, 2002, 2005)—the third most behind LSU's total of 7 and Southern California's total of 12—and have been the runner-up in the College World Series (CWS) Championship Game or Championship Series on six other occasions (1953, 1984, 1985, 1989, 2004, 2009).[4] Texas holds the records for most appearances in the College World Series (38), most individual CWS games won (88), most overall NCAA tournament games won (253), and most NCAA tournament appearances (62); the second-place programs in these categories have 25 CWS appearances (Miami), 74 CWS game wins (Southern California), 199 overall NCAA tournament wins (Florida State), and 58 NCAA tournament appearances (Florida State), as of the end of the 2021 season. As such, Texas is often considered to be one of the greatest programs in college baseball history.
From 1997 to 2016, the Longhorns were led by head coach Augie Garrido, who holds the record for most wins in NCAA baseball history. The team is currently led by fifth-year head coach David Pierce. Texas plays its home games at UFCU-Disch-Falk Field.
History
The Longhorn baseball program has been remarkably stable over the last century. Over a 105-year period (1911–2016), it had only four full-time coaches—Billy Disch (1911–1939), Bibb Falk (1940–1967), Cliff Gustafson (1968–1996), and Augie Garrido (1997–2016). David Pierce, previously head coach at Tulane University, was hired as Texas' fifth head coach on June 29, 2016.
The Longhorns have won national titles in 1949, 1950, 1975, 1983, 2002, and 2005.
The early years (1894–1910)
The Texas Longhorns baseball team started in 1894, with the first game in 1895. Records from the first two years are incomplete. The first collegiate victory was over Add-Ran College, what is today Texas Christian University, on April 21, 1897. Seven different managers, including some that were also the school's football coach, led the team. Four times, the team won a conference title, including one in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association and three in the Southwestern Intercollegiate Athletic Association. The team played its home games in the first Clark Field during this time.
William J. "Billy" Disch era (1911–1939)
In 1911, Billy Disch took over the reins of the program. Disch retired following the 1939 season. During this time, he led the Longhorns to 22 conference titles, with two in the Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association and 20 in the Southwest Conference. This included a run of 10 consecutive conference titles from 1913 to 1922. Disch won 465 collegiate games during his tenure with the Longhorns. In 1928, the team moved to the second Clark Field, which was famous for its limestone cliff and goat path in left-center field.
Bibb Falk era (1940–1967)
In 1940, former Longhorn baseball and major league outfielder Bibb Falk became the head coach. Except for a three-year period from 1943 to 1945, during which the team was led by assistant football coach Blair Cherry, Falk coached the team until 1967. Under Falk's guidance, the Longhorns won 20 Southwest Conference titles; the Longhorns won two conference titles under Cherry. Under Falk, Texas won its first two College World Series championships (in 1949 and 1950). The Longhorns won 434 collegiate games during his tenure.
Cliff Gustafson era (1968–1996)
Falk retired after the 1967 season and was succeeded by one of his former players, Cliff Gustafson. During his time in Austin, Gustafson led the Longhorns to 22 conference titles, 11 conference tournament championships, and College World Series championships in 1975 and 1983. Texas won 1,427 collegiate games during his tenure. In 1975, the school moved from the second Clark Field into the new Disch-Falk Field, which was named for Billy Disch and Bibb Falk.
Augie Garrido era (1997–2016)
After Cliff Gustafson retired in 1996, Augie Garrido took over the helm at Texas. During his tenure, the school won seven Big 12 Conference titles, four conference tournament championships, and two national championships, in 2002 and 2005. Augie died March 15, 2018.
David Pierce era (2016–present)
On June 29, 2016, it was announced that David Pierce (previously head coach at Tulane and Sam Houston State) would take over being head coach at the Longhorns after the announcement of Augie Garrido's resignation.[citation needed]
Through 2018 Coach Pierce's teams have appeared in the NCAA baseball tournament in all seven years he has been a head coach (2012–2018), including 2017–2018 with the Longhorns.
In 2018, the Texas Longhorns won the Big 12 Championship for the first time since 2011. In the 2018 NCAA tournament they advanced to and hosted an NCAA Super Regional for the first time since 2008 by defeating Texas Southern, Texas A&M and Indiana University in the NCAA Austin regional. They defeated Tennessee Tech in three games to advance to the 2018 College World Series.
The Longhorns defeated Wake Forest 10–3 in the championship game to claim their first national championship. Notable players on the team include Charlie Gorin, Tom Hamilton, and Murray Wall.
Texas won their sixth National Championship in school history by defeating Florida 4–2 and 6–2 in the championship round. Notable players on the team include Taylor Teagarden, Drew Stubbs, and David Maroul.
On May 30, 2009, the Longhorns and Boston College played in the longest game in college-baseball history—a 25-inning game, during the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship regional tournament at Austin, Texas. The Longhorns—who were designated the visiting team despite playing on their home field—won, 3–2. The game lasted seven hours and three minutes.[5][6]
WP: Austin Dicharry (8–2) LP: Mike Dennhardt (5–2) Home runs: TEX: Kevin Keyes (5) BC: None Attendance: 7,104 Umpires: Phil Benson, Bill Speck, Mark Ditsworth, Darrell Arnold Notes: Duration: 7:03 Boxscore
National champions
College World Series participants
Conference regular season champion
Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
Division regular season champion
Division regular season and conference tournament champion
Conference tournament champion
^The Southwest Conference did not crown a champion in 1944 due to war conditions.
Colorado and Nebraska both competed in the Big 12 from 1997 to 2011. Arkansas (1915–1991), Rice (1915–1996), SMU (1918–1996), and Houston (1971–1996) all competed in the Southwest Conference. Missouri and Texas A&M both left for the SEC in 2012.
*Through March 1, 2022.
Information Source: 2018 Texas Longhorns Baseball Media Guide – All-Time Series Records section[11]
2018 Season Results[12]
2019 Season Results[13]
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Baylor
Texas's rivalry with Baylor dates back April 4, 1903, when the Longhorns beat the Bears 13–1 in Austin. Since then, the schools have competed in an annual series, alternating between campuses as host.
Oklahoma
Texas's rivalry with Oklahoma dates back May 9, 1910, when the Longhorns beat the Sooners 3–2 in Austin. Oklahoma was part of the Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association and later the Southwest Conference until 1997, when both schools joined the Big 12, playing each other for one series every year from 1940 to 1972. often in the NCAA Division I baseball tournament.
Oklahoma State
Texas's rivalry with Oklahoma State dates back May 1, 1913, when the Longhorns beat the Cowboys 4–1 in Austin. Oklahoma State, then known as Oklahoma A&M, was part of the Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association and later the Southwest Conference until 1925. Between 1919 and 1997, when both joined the Big 12, the schools played each other sporadically. When they did compete, it was often in NCAA Division I baseball tournament.
The Longhorns rivalry with Texas A&M is part of the Lone Star Showdown. The baseball rivalry dates back to April 24, 1903, when the Longhorns defeated the Aggies 6–2 in College Station. The Longhorns and Aggies combined to win or share 75 of 81 Southwest Conference regular season championships and 13 of 19 conference tournaments. In Big 12 play, the two schools have shared 10 of 15 regular season titles and 7 of 15 conference tournaments. After the 2012 season, Texas A&M left for the SEC.
Texas Tech
Texas's rivalry with Texas Tech dates back March 22, 1968, when the Longhorns beat the Red Raiders 7–5 in Lubbock. That was the year Texas Tech joined the Southwest Conference. Since then, the schools have competed each year in a three-game series.
Individual awards
National College Baseball Hall of Fame
The Longhorns have had eight players, three coaches, and one veteran inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame, more than any other school.
Throughout the history of the program, Texas pitchers have combined to throw 21 no-hitters, including one perfect game.[20]
On April 3, 1970 James Street shutout Texas Tech 4–0 over seven innings in Lubbock, TX to secure the first and only perfect game in Longhorn's history. This was also the only perfect game in the history of the Southwest Conference.