Rain, Unbeaten Streak on Line as Texas Hosts South Carolina Upstate

AUSTIN, Texas (Interstat) — The unbeaten and No. 1-ranked Texas Longhorns look to extend their perfect start amid a rainy forecast Saturday when they host the South Carolina Upstate Spartans in a nonconference matchup at UFCU Disch–Falk Field.

First pitch is set for the afternoon, though wet conditions are expected with a game-time temperature of 82 degrees.

Texas (12-0) has dominated its early schedule, outscoring opponents 98-17. The Longhorns are coming off a 16-3 rout of Houston Christian on Tuesday, powered by a strong start from right-hander Samuel Cozart. The sophomore has been stellar, allowing just two hits and one earned run over nine combined innings in his last two outings, striking out 14.

South Carolina Upstate (7-7) arrives after a 12-3 loss at South Carolina on Tuesday and a defeat to open this series on Friday. The Spartans will look to right-hander Max Kaplan to slow the Texas offense. Kaplan’s recent outings have been a mixed bag; he tossed six scoreless innings against North Florida on Feb. 24 but was tagged for five earned runs in 5 2/3 innings against South Carolina.

The Spartans’ bullpen, including Reece Hemmerling and Brad Benton, will need to be sharp against a relentless Texas lineup that features power threats like Carson Tinney and Aiden Robbins.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, Texas is projected for a 7-5 victory.

The series concludes Sunday before Texas travels to face Texas State next Tuesday. South Carolina Upstate visits Wofford on March 10.