Texas pitcher Cody Howard celebrates after getting the last batter out, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Vera Nieuwenhuis)
The No. 6 Texas Longhorns staved off elimination on Monday at the College World Series (CWS), and did so in dominant fashion with a 14-2 drubbing of No. 7 Alabama. In the most lopsided outcome thus far in Omaha, Nebraska, the Longhorns quickly jumped out to a 7-1 lead by the end of the second inning and never looked back.
Texas has made a habit of registering double-digit runs this season; they’ve accomplished the feat 26 times, including previously against the Crimson Tide on April 17.
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Texas, the most storied program of the six teams still left standing in the 2026 College World Series, is second overall in all-time wins (behind only Fordham) among Division-I schools, and is first overall in winning percentage. The Longhorns have won six national championships but are seeking their first since 2005.
They can’t bask in the glow of their 12-run victory too long, however. Because they lost their first game in Omaha — a 7-1 decision against No. 3 Georgia on Saturday — they will face another elimination game on Tuesday night against those same Bulldogs.
In order for Texas to advance deeper in this year’s CWS with the potential to play four elimination games in four consecutive days, it will need continued stellar performances from its pitching corps. If any team is equipped to stand up to the challenge, it’s the Longhorns. They’re ranked No. 12 in the nation in team ERA (4.05, third best among CWS teams), No. 4 in strikeouts per nine innings (11.7), and No. 3 in strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.45).
Starting on the mound for Texas on Monday, the first of those four possible elimination games, was Ruger Riojas. He had plenty of run support but didn’t need it as he tossed six innings with seven strikeouts, two walks and six hits.
Before his impressive performance in the do-or-die outing, Riojas was interviewed by CBN Sports.
“Without Him, I wouldn’t have life on earth,” he said when asked about Christ. “Being able to just be a guiding light of His and live by His example day in and day out, and just be able to use my talents as a light to spread my beliefs. It’s that simple.”
Riojas isn’t the only Texas pitcher to publicly speak about his Christian faith. Sam Cozart, the Longhorns’ star freshman closer who was recently named the NCBWA Stopper of the Year and Freshman Pitcher of the Year, also talked to CBN Sports.
“Jesus is my Savior,” the nation’s top reliever said. “He truly has saved me, and He’s given me the opportunity to see the good in people. … He’s allowed me to open up and be more open in my faith.”
Cozart revealed that he grew up attending church in High Point, North Carolina, and his grandfather was a deacon, but he’s grown tremendously in faith since arriving in Austin. Now, before every outing, he kneels behind the mound to say a prayer and draw a cross. And although Cozart hasn’t had an opportunity to make his CWS debut yet, he’s still seeking to glorify God.
“Jesus is the One that has given me, honestly, the strength to be able to continue to go out and pitch every single day,” he told Sports Spectrum at the CWS.
The pitcher Texas did turn to on Monday to close out the Crimson Tide was Cody Howard, who recorded the last two outs of the contest on a groundout and a strikeout. He too talked about how he incorporates his faith into his baseball gameday routine.
“When the national anthem starts, that’s my prayer time before the game,” the redshirt senior told Sports Spectrum. “It’s kind of just a moment of silence. And it’s really just cool to represent Him in a place like this.”
As Texas continues to survive and advance in Omaha, numerous Longhorn pitchers will seek to continue to point others to the only One who is worthy of all praise.
First pitch on Tuesday between Texas and Georgia is set for 8 p.m. ET.
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