Longhorns Respond with Grit and Firepower to Crush Kansas State, Stay Alive in Big 12 Tournament Elimination Game Showdown

Texas didn’t just survive. It sent a message. Facing elimination in the Big 12 Tournament, the Longhorns unleashed an offensive onslaught and reminded everyone why they entered the postseason with championship expectations. The opponent was Kansas State, but the game turned into more of a showcase for Texas baseball, which bounced back from a humbling defeat the day before with a commanding 9-1 win that extended its tournament life.

The Longhorns came into the matchup with their backs against the wall, needing a win to stay in contention after dropping their opener in frustrating fashion. There was little room for error, and every pitch, every at-bat had weight. But if there was any pressure, it didn’t show. Texas played loose, aggressive, and with a level of confidence that had been absent just 24 hours earlier.

From the first pitch, it was clear Texas was ready to take control. The energy in the dugout was different. The focus sharpened. And within minutes, it was evident this wasn’t going to be a close one. The Longhorns exploded for four runs in the first inning, pouncing on Kansas State’s starter with a flurry of well-timed hits, aggressive baserunning, and a statement-making home run from first baseman Jared Thomas that jolted the Texas bench into life.

Thomas has been one of the team’s most consistent performers all season, but his first-inning shot might’ve been his most significant moment of the year. It didn’t just provide runs—it provided belief. Texas, which had stumbled late in the regular season and appeared out of sync in the tournament opener, suddenly looked like a team capable of winning the whole thing.

The lineup didn’t let up. Over the course of the game, Texas racked up 13 hits, including four for extra bases. Kansas State’s pitchers struggled to find a rhythm and never seemed to recover from that first inning. Even when they made decent pitches, Texas hitters were locked in—spitting on borderline pitches, working deep counts, and lashing fastballs into the gaps.

Freshman DH Max Belyeu, who’s been turning heads this postseason, added two hits and a pair of RBIs, showcasing the kind of poise that belies his age. His double in the third inning extended the lead to 6-0, and by that point, it felt like the Wildcats were playing catch-up in a race they weren’t equipped to run.

But the real hero of the afternoon might have been Texas starter Lebarron Johnson Jr., who delivered a masterful performance when his team needed it most. Coming off a rocky stretch to end the regular season, Johnson was lights out against Kansas State, tossing seven innings of one-run ball, striking out nine, and walking just two.

He worked with pace, pounded the strike zone, and induced weak contact all game. His fastball command was sharp, and his slider danced just enough to keep hitters off balance. Johnson didn’t just silence Kansas State’s bats—he set a tone. This was his mound, and this was Texas’ day.

The performance couldn’t have come at a better time. Texas had taxed its bullpen in recent weeks, and the coaching staff needed someone to step up and give them innings. Johnson delivered in a big way. His calm presence on the mound gave the defense confidence, and his ability to work ahead in counts kept Texas in control from start to finish.

The defense behind him was crisp and clean. Texas turned two double plays, made several sharp plays in the infield, and avoided the kinds of errors that had plagued them earlier in the week. It was a complete performance—pitching, hitting, defense, and energy. Everything the Longhorns needed to show, they did.

Head coach David Pierce was animated throughout the contest, imploring his team to keep its foot on the gas even with a sizable lead. He knows how quickly momentum can swing in tournament play, and he wasn’t interested in letting Kansas State hang around. His players responded to his urgency with relentless effort.

This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement—a turning point for a team that had been teetering. It reminded fans and opponents alike what Texas baseball can be at its best: a blend of raw talent, execution, and swagger.

After the game, Pierce praised his team’s resilience. “We knew what was on the line,” he said. “We talked about staying in the fight, about playing for each other. And that’s exactly what we saw out there. Our guys played with heart, and they played the right way.”

Several players echoed that sentiment. “There was no panic,” Thomas said. “We’ve been in tough spots before. We know what we’re capable of when we lock in. This is just the beginning.”

Indeed, if Texas can carry this performance into its next contest, it could be the spark that propels a deep tournament run. The Longhorns showed they can rebound from adversity—and not just scrape by, but dominate.

The path forward won’t be easy. The Big 12 is loaded with talent this year, and Texas still faces a daunting road to the title. But the pieces are there. The bats have awakened, the pitching staff has a newfound rhythm, and the dugout has a different energy now—one built on belief.

Momentum is a powerful force in baseball, especially in postseason play. And Texas may have found it just in time.

The team’s depth, which had been tested all season, proved to be a strength against Kansas State. Multiple players contributed key at-bats, and the bullpen closed the game with precision. Reliever Gage Boehm handled the eighth and ninth innings with authority, using a steady mix of sliders and fastballs to lock down the final outs.

Pierce has often talked about the importance of playing “connected baseball”—the idea that every element of the game should complement the others. That’s exactly what Texas delivered in this win. From top to bottom, it was a team effort.

It also served as a potential turning point for Johnson. The junior right-hander has electric stuff, but his command has wavered at times this season. On this day, though, he looked like an ace. If he’s found his groove at the right time, Texas becomes even more dangerous.

There’s also a broader significance to the win. For a program with such a storied tradition, simply showing up isn’t enough. Expectations are high—internally and externally. A quick exit from the Big 12 Tournament would’ve led to questions about this team’s trajectory heading into the NCAA Regionals. Now, those questions are replaced with optimism.

Texas fans showed up strong, and their support didn’t go unnoticed. The crowd was vocal throughout, rising to its feet after every strikeout and roaring with every run scored. That kind of backing matters, especially in postseason play, where emotions run high and the pressure is constant.

For now, the Longhorns live to fight another day. And if they play with the same fire, poise, and purpose they showed against Kansas State, they could be a very difficult team to knock out.

Baseball is a game of momentum, of timing, and of belief. Texas found all three in this dominant performance—and they’re not done yet.