Where went wrong in No. 1 seeded Texas' upset loss to Tennessee at SEC Tournament

No. 2 Texas Longhorns baseball’s SEC Tournament hopes ended abruptly Thursday with a 7-5, 12-inning defeat to No. 21 Tennessee Volunteers, as defensive lapses and late-game pitching woes proved decisive.

Texas surged ahead early, building a 4-0 lead behind Ethan Mendoza’s two-run triple and aggressive base-running. But momentum shifted in the fifth when a fielding error by shortstop Jalin Flores extended the inning, allowing Tennessee to score twice and cut the deficit in half. The miscue, which should have ended the frame with a double play, opened the door for the Vols’ comeback.

The Longhorns’ decision to use a bullpen game also affected their performance. Starter Ethan Walker was pulled after four and a third innings, forcing Texas to rely on a string of relievers who struggled to contain Tennessee’s offense in the later innings. As the game wore on, the Texas bullpen faltered, allowing the Vols to tie the game and eventually take the lead in the 12th.

Offensively, Texas failed to capitalize on key opportunities, stranding runners and going quiet after the fourth inning. Tennessee’s defense made several clutch plays to keep the Longhorns off the board late. 

Part of the problem can be tied to Head coach Jim Schlossnagle prioritizing resting main starters for the NCAA Tournament. Starter Ethan Walker in his first outing of the year was among those rested. While Walker performed well, this approach meant Texas did not use its top arms late in the game.

The Texas bullpen struggled in the later innings, especially as the game extended into extra frames. Key relievers like Dylan Volantis, usually reliable, faltered under pressure, allowing Tennessee’s Gavin Kilen to drive in all three extra-inning runs that decided the game. 

Ultimately, defensive errors, a taxed bullpen, and missed offensive chances combined to derail Texas’ tournament run. The Longhorns will look to bounce back in time for the NCAA tournament and will look to potentially host a regional in Austin.

Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) at @LonghornsWire.

This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Where went wrong in Texas' upset loss to Tennessee at SEC Tournament