Texas Longhorns star pitcher Dylan Volantis is quickly building an impressive trophy case, and he just added another shiny piece of hardware to it. Following one of the most dominant outings of his career, Volantis was named the SEC Co-Pitcher of the Week on Monday—the fourth such honor of his collegiate career.
In a must-win matchup against conference rival Mississippi State last Friday, Volantis delivered a masterclass on the mound. The sophomore right-hander struck out a career-high 12 batters over six scoreless innings, allowing just three singles while leaving Bulldog hitters shaking their heads all afternoon. It was the kind of performance that reminds everyone why he's considered one of the elite arms in college baseball.
Volantis's gem set the tone for a historic night for Texas pitching. The Longhorns finished the game with 19 strikeouts, tying the program record for most strikeouts in a nine-inning game. For Volantis, it was just another chapter in a season that's been nothing short of spectacular.
Through 62.2 innings this season, the Westlake High product has posted a microscopic 1.87 ERA while fanning 92 batters. He's holding opponents to a paltry .189 batting average and has yet to allow an earned run in multiple starts. The numbers are even more impressive considering he's made a seamless transition from closer—where he was one of the nation's best last season—to a full-time starter role.
Volantis has also set new career highs in wins, innings pitched, and starts this year, showing he's still got room to grow before making the jump to the next level. With the Longhorns carrying national title aspirations, having a pitcher of his caliber leading the rotation is exactly what Texas needs down the stretch.
Volantis isn't the only Longhorn collecting conference accolades this season. He joins teammates Temo Becerra, Sam Cozart, Ruger Riojas, and Anthony Pack Jr. as Texas players who have earned SEC weekly honors. With a few weeks still left in the regular season, that list could keep growing—and if Volantis keeps pitching like this, he'll be the headliner of a very special season in Austin.