In a year defined by relentless effort, gritty play, and resurgent pride, the Texas Longhorns baseball program has reached the pinnacle. For the first time in program history, the Longhorns are National Champions of NCAA Division I baseball, capturing the coveted title with a historic College World Series performance that will be remembered for generations in Austin.
Texas defeated the defending champion LSU Tigers 6-4 in a dramatic championship final in Omaha, Nebraska, marking the culmination of a season that saw the Longhorns defy expectations, outlast elite competition, and finally hoist the trophy that had long eluded them in the modern era. The win not only cements Texas’ resurgence as a national baseball power but also completes one of the most remarkable championship runs in recent memory.
Longhorns Reach the Mountaintop
Entering the 2025 season, Texas was widely regarded as a strong team, but few expected them to run the gauntlet of the NCAA Tournament and emerge with the national title. Despite boasting a rich history—six previous national championships, though none since 2005—the Longhorns had fallen short in multiple trips to Omaha in recent years, including heartbreaking exits in 2021 and 2022.
This time, it was different.
Under the leadership of head coach David Pierce, in his ninth season at the helm, Texas found the perfect blend of veteran leadership, explosive offense, and dominant pitching. The team entered the tournament as a regional host and quickly showed they were built for the postseason.
Postseason Brilliance
Texas opened their NCAA Tournament run with a convincing sweep of the Austin Regional, defeating UC Irvine, Dallas Baptist, and Louisiana Tech. The Longhorns’ offense erupted, with junior slugger Jared Thomas smashing two home runs in the regional final to set the tone.
In the Super Regionals, Texas was matched up with the Stanford Cardinal, a familiar postseason foe. Game 1 saw a masterful outing by ace right-hander Lebarron Johnson Jr., who struck out 11 in seven shutout innings. Texas closed out the Super Regionals in two games, earning their ticket to Omaha with confidence and momentum.
Omaha Magic: A Run for the Ages
Once in Omaha, Texas was placed in a brutal bracket featuring LSU, Florida State, and Arkansas. But the Longhorns didn’t flinch. They opened their CWS campaign with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Arkansas, thanks to clutch hitting by Max Belyeu and late-inning heroics from closer Andre Duplantier II.
A hard-fought 5-4 win over LSU followed, setting up a rematch in the semifinals. After a close loss in the first game, the Longhorns bounced back in the winner-take-all game to eliminate LSU and punch their ticket to the national championship final—where they would meet the Tigers once again after LSU clawed their way back from the losers’ bracket.
Championship Game Recap: Texas 6, LSU 4
With 25,000 fans packed into Charles Schwab Field and millions watching at home, the championship game delivered in every possible way.
Texas took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI double from freshman sensation Jaxon Tullis, who continued his incredible postseason tear. LSU responded in the third with a solo home run by Dylan Crews’ protégé, but Texas answered in the fifth with a two-run bomb by veteran catcher Garrett Guillemette.
The Tigers made it 5-4 in the seventh, but in the top of the ninth, Dylan Campbell, playing in his final college game, provided an insurance run with a clutch RBI single.
With the weight of the moment on his shoulders, Duplantier took the mound in the bottom of the ninth and struck out the final batter to seal the win. As gloves flew into the air and players dogpiled on the mound, the Longhorns finally had their moment of glory.
Heroes of the Run
While it was a team effort from start to finish, several players stood out as pivotal to Texas’ championship journey:
- Lebarron Johnson Jr.: The undisputed ace of the pitching staff. Johnson delivered three spectacular postseason starts, including two in Omaha. His mid-90s fastball and wipeout slider made him nearly unhittable.
- Jaxon Tullis: The freshman phenom hit .417 during the CWS and earned Most Outstanding Player honors. His timely hitting and fearless approach made him a fan favorite and future cornerstone.
- Garrett Guillemette: The senior catcher was the emotional leader of the team and provided critical offensive production. His home run in the final will be replayed for years to come.
- Max Belyeu and Dylan Campbell: The senior duo provided steady bats and veteran poise throughout the tournament. Both hit over .300 in Omaha.
- Andre Duplantier II: The flame-throwing closer had four saves during the postseason, including the championship clincher. His role was essential in finishing off tight games.
David Pierce’s Defining Moment
For head coach David Pierce, this championship represents the crowning achievement of his career. The 61-year-old had come close before, reaching Omaha several times but never quite capturing the title.
“This team had heart. They never backed down,” Pierce said in the postgame press conference. “This is a special group of guys. To bring this trophy back to Austin, to these fans, to this university—it’s everything.”
Pierce’s ability to rally his team after a midseason slump and keep them focused throughout the grueling postseason gauntlet is a testament to his coaching evolution. He now joins the legendary Augie Garrido and Cliff Gustafson as a national championship-winning coach at Texas.
The Return of a Powerhouse
While Texas has long been one of college baseball’s blue bloods, recent years saw the program chasing ghosts of past glories. Their last national title came in 2005, and the ever-evolving college baseball landscape—with the rise of SEC powers and transfer portal volatility—made it difficult to maintain dominance.
This title changes that.
It signals a return to the national elite and reasserts Texas as a destination for top-tier recruits and transfers alike. With a strong incoming class and momentum on their side, the Longhorns are poised to contend again in 2026.
Fans and Alumni Rejoice
The Texas fanbase, known for its pride and passion, erupted in celebration after the final out. Watch parties on campus turned into impromptu parades. Alumni flooded social media with congratulatory messages. From former players like Huston Street and Roger Clemens to current athletes across Longhorn Nation, the joy was infectious.
“Been waiting on this one,” tweeted former Longhorn and MLB star Brandon Belt. “These boys earned it. Hook ‘em!”
UT athletic director Chris Del Conte echoed the sentiment: “This is what Texas excellence is all about. Congratulations to Coach Pierce, the players, and our incredible fans. National champions. It sounds good, doesn’t it?”
Legacy Secured
With the win, Texas becomes the first Big 12 team to win the national championship in baseball since the league’s inception in 1996. The victory comes just ahead of the school’s much-anticipated move to the SEC, where the road gets tougher but the stakes even higher.
College baseball has crowned its newest champion, and it’s a program rich in tradition, fueled by pride, and defined by a relentless will to win. The 2025 Texas Longhorns will be remembered not just for their on-field excellence but for the passion, unity, and resilience that carried them to the summit.
