Ruger Riojas Dazzles, Texas Baseball Beats Michigan State 8-1: Live Game Log

We're back once again, as the No. 3 Texas Longhorns (4-0) begin their second three-game weekend series of the young season. After sweeping their way past the UC Davis Aggies to start the campaign, they remain at home and find themselves preparing for an exciting matchup against the Michigan State Spartans (2-1).

The Longhorns come into this weekend having secured their second run-rule win of the year, a 14-4 victory over the Lamar Cardinals in their first midweek game. It was another strong showing offensively, albeit one that came following another slow start.

As was the case for the first two games of the season, Texas found itself playing from behind against when the Cardinals took a 3-0 lead in the second inning. Despite that, though, there was no panic in the dugout and eventually the Longhorns got going -- highlighted by a six-run fifth inning.

Michigan State Spartans catcher Adam Brosk — Michigan State catcher Adam Broski (19) picks up a bat before stepping on home plate against Louisville. | Jeff Faughender/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Texas will look to keep momentum rolling against the Spartans

Now, they turn their attention to a Michigan State squad that they cannot afford to take lightly. They enter the weekend with one of the biggest early season statements under their belts, having taken their opening weekend series against the then No. 8 ranked Louisville Cardinals.

Leading the way on the bump will be veteran right-hander Ruger Riojas. He dazzled in his first start, recovering from a bumpy first inning and tossing five innings while allowing only one run and racking up nine strikeouts -- just shy of his career-high of 10.

How to watch/listen

First pitch - 6:30 p.m. CT - SEC Network+/TexasSports.com/Audio

The Longhorns' starting lineup will be listed below -

guess who's back, back again 📝#HookEm pic.twitter.com/wVNMcgByx2
— Texas Baseball (@TexasBaseball) February 20, 2026

2B - Ethan Mendoza

SS - Adrian Rodriguez

CF - Aiden Robbins

C - Carson Tinney

DH - Jonah Williams

1B - Casey Borba

LF - Ashton Larson

3B - Temo Becerra

RF - Anthony Pack Jr.

P - Ruger Riojas

Live updates will be available after first pitch

Top First:

Ruger Riojas (Texas) pitching

Williams: Groundout to second

McKay: Fly out to left

Seymour: Single

Picot: Strikeout swinging

Bottom First:

Aidan Donovan (Michigan State) pitching

Mendoza: Groundout to pitcher

Rodriguez: Double

Rodriguez advanced to third (balk)

Robbins: Strikeout swinging

Tinney: Fly out to left

Top Second:

Bright: Pop out to second

Oliver: Fly out to right

Murphy: Strikeout looking

Bottom Second:

Williams: Walk

Borba: Single

Both runners advanced (wild pitch)

Larson: E3, Borba advanced to third, Longhorns lead 1-0

Becerra: Fielder's choice, both runners advance, Borba out at home

Pack: Hit by pitch

Mendoza: Sac fly, Larson scores, Longhorns lead 2-0

Rodriguez: Fly out to center

Top Third:

Van Ameyde: Hit by pitch

Thomas: Strikeout swinging

Williams: Groundout to third, Van Ameyde to second

McKay: RBI single, Longhorns lead 2-1

Seymour: Strikeout swinging

Bottom Third:

Robbins: Groundout to third

Tinney: Single

Williams: Groundout to third, Tinney advanced to second

Borba: Strikeout looking

Top Fourth:

Picot: Strikeout looking

Bright: Single

Oliver: Groundout to third, Bright advanced to second

Murphy: Groundout to short

Bottom Fourth:

Larson: Fly out to center

Becerra: Fly out to left

Pack: Walk

Mendoza: Two-run home run, Longhorns lead 4-1

Rodriguez: Fly out to left

Top Fifth:

Van Ameyde: Strikeout swinging

Thomas: Strikeout looking

Williams: Walk

McKay: Groundout to short

Bottom Fifth:

Gannon Grundman (Michigan State) pitching

Robbins: Strikeout looking

Tinney: Groundout to second

Williams: Single

Borba: Two-run home run, Longhorns lead 6-1

Duplantier (PH for Larson): Fly out to center

Top Sixth:

Seymour: Strikeout swinging

Picot: Strikeout swinging

Bright: Strikeout swinging

Bottom Sixth:

Becerra: Fly out to center

Pack: Solo home run, Longhorns lead 7-1

Mendoza: Single

Rodriguez: Double, Mendoza to third

Kyle Rudolph (Michigan State) pitching

Robbins: RBI groundout to second, Rodriguez advanced to third, Longhorns lead 8-1

Tinney: Walk

Williams: Strikeout swinging

Top Seventh:

Michael Winter (Texas) pitching

Oliver: Single

Murphy: Strikeout swinging

Van Ameyde: Fielder's choice, Oliver out at second

Thomas: Groundout to second

Bottom Seventh:

Borba: Strikeout swinging

Duplantier: Fly out to center

Becerra: Groundout to shortstop

Top Eighth:

Brett Crossland (Texas) pitching

McKay: Groundout to first (3-1)

Seymour: Groundout to second

Picot: Strikeout looking

Bottom Eighth:

Pack: Line out to third

Mendoza: Double

Rodriguez: Groundout to third

Robbins: Fly out to right

Top Ninth:

Brody Walls (Texas) pitching

Bright: Hit by pitch

Oliver: Strikeout looking

Murphy: Fly out to right

Bright stole second (defensive indifference)

Van Ameyde: Strikeout looking

FINAL - No. 3 Texas 8 Michigan State 1