AUSTIN, Texas (Interstat) — In a wild, weather-interrupted contest that saw 20 runs, 25 hits and a monumental ninth-inning rally fall just short, the top-ranked Texas Longhorns survived a furious comeback bid by South Carolina Upstate to win 11-9 on Saturday afternoon at UFCU Disch–Falk Field.

The victory extended Texas’s perfect start to the season to 14 wins and no losses, while the Spartans fell to 7-9.

The game’s decisive moment came in the bottom of the fifth inning, a chaotic frame where the Longhorns sent 14 batters to the plate and scored seven runs to erase a six-run deficit and seize control. Texas entered the inning trailing 9-3 but capitalized on Spartan mistakes and delivered key hits to complete the stunning turnaround.

The rally began modestly with a single by Max Tinney. Aiden Robbins then launched a two-run homer to right field, cutting the lead to 9-5. After a groundout, Temo Becerra singled and later scored, along with Jalin Pack Jr., on a two-run single by Ryder Borba, who advanced to second on the throw. The Spartans’ defense, which committed four errors, continued to falter, allowing the inning to prolong. Will Larson drove in Borba with a double, and after a walk and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases, Tinney drew a walk to force in the tying run.

South Carolina Upstate reliever Reece Hemmerling entered and struck out Robbins, but walked Adrian Rodriguez to push across the go-ahead run, giving Texas a 10-9 lead. Hemmerling then struck out Becerra to finally end the inning, but the damage was done. The right-hander was a bright spot for the Spartans, throwing 2 2/3 scoreless innings with four strikeouts to keep the game within reach.

Texas had chipped away early, scoring three runs in the first inning after the Spartans had established their large lead. Rodriguez and Becerra each had RBI singles in the frame. Becerra finished the day 4 for 5 with an RBI, while Rodriguez went 2 for 4 with two RBIs.

The game began under unusual circumstances, as the play-by-play log indicated the Spartans held a 9-0 lead before the first pitch was thrown, a clear data entry anomaly. The actual early offensive burst came from South Carolina Upstate in the middle innings, highlighted by a solo home run from J. Sweeney in the fifth. The Spartans collected 14 hits on the day.

Play was halted in the top of the sixth inning due to a weather delay that lasted one hour and 24 minutes. Upon resumption, Texas reliever Ethan Walker struck out the side in the sixth, part of a strong bullpen effort that included key holds from Haiden Leffew and Luke Harrison, who struck out seven over 4 2/3 innings as the starter.

Texas added an insurance run in the eighth when Pack Jr. grounded out to score Rodriguez, making it 11-9. That run proved critical.

The Spartans mounted a dramatic final stand in the ninth, scoring four runs and bringing the potential go-ahead run to the plate. They loaded the bases with no outs against reliever Andre Walls. After a pitching change, a walk and a fielder’s choice brought in two runs. Koby Bowman and Trenton Bentley delivered RBI hits, pulling Upstate within two. With two runners on, Texas summoned Michael Winter from the bullpen, and he got H. Zenor to fly out to center field to end the game.

The Longhorns’ bullpen, utilizing six pitchers after Harrison, navigated through trouble repeatedly. Winter recorded the final out for his first save.

The two teams conclude their three-game series on Sunday afternoon.