Texas baseball fans have a new Friday night tradition, but they might need to adjust their calendars. While fake mustaches have become a common sight in the stands as a tribute to starter Ruger Riojas, it was sophomore left-hander Dylan Volantis who stole the show this week.

Given the ball for the series opener against Alabama, Volantis delivered a career-defining performance in a commanding 10-2 victory. In his first-ever Friday night start, the lefty was utterly dominant, racking up a personal-best 12 strikeouts over six innings of work. He allowed just four hits on 91 pitches, completely stifling the Crimson Tide's offense and setting the tone for the weekend.

The decision to move Volantis to the front of the rotation wasn't a reaction to past struggles in SEC openers, according to Coach Jim Schlossnagle. It was about getting the talented sophomore back on schedule after a rainout cost him his previous start. Based on Friday's dazzling display, the temporary move is looking permanent. "We'll keep him (on Friday)," Schlossnagle stated after the game, citing the importance of keeping Volantis on regular rest. This performance sends a clear message to the SEC: Texas's pitching rotation just got a serious Friday night upgrade.

For now, the mustachioed fans celebrating Riojas might want to save their props for Saturday. With Volantis dealing like an ace, the Longhorns have found a powerful new formula to kick off their conference series.