Texas baseball pitcher Dylan Volantis said he didn’t change his mentality as he transitioned from reliever to starter over the offseason. But he did alter his arsenal.
Austin, TX
How Does Texas Punter Room Look Like After Red River Rivalry?
Sophomore punter Ian Ratliff earned his first start and collegiate minutes in the 2024 Red River Rivalry game.
Until this weekend, true freshman Michael Kern had punted each game, with 11 punts through five games, averaging 42.8 yards per punt and a total of 471 yards. Kern was listed as questionable in both Wednesday and Thursday’s injury reports, upgrading to probable on Friday.
“We think (he’s) the best punter in the country,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said to the Austin-American Statesman on signing day. “We think this guy’s got a skill set for the future.”
Though he was taken off the injury report on game day, Kern did not see game time against the Sooners, instead, it was Ratliff who had his first chance to prove himself.
The Longhorns weren’t forced to punt too many times, but in the three attempts, Ratliff recorded 133 yards. The Sooners, on the other hand, were forced to punt six times.
Ratliff averaged 44.3 yards per punt, nearing Kern’s records of 45.5 and 45.75 against UTSA and ULM, and the sophomore managed one 50+ yard attempt.
Assumedly, Kern will resume his starting duties next week vs. Georgia, but it is certainly comforting for the Longhorns to know they have two quality legs at their disposal.
“I’d like the guy to hit the ball and punt the ball directionally well. I think that’s something right away that we look for,” assistant head coach Jeff Banks said to the Austin-American Statesman about what he expects from a punter. “From a technique standpoint, if he can be two steps and get the ball off quicker, I’d like that. That’s probably where we start is just form-wise, getting him to be compact, and to be able to strike the ball the same every time.”
It is never the case in which fans get excited when their team is forced to punt, but with Ratliff’s solid performance, Texas fans won’t need to stress too much if the moment arises where he is called on again.
Austin, TX
East Austin Crash Results in City’s 11th Fatality of the Year
Austin’s 11th traffic fatality of the year occurred at the intersection of Loyola Lane and Sendero Hills Parkway last Wednesday morning.
The Austin Police Department responded to the East Austin intersection after a report of a collision between two vehicles. One of the drivers, 37-year-old Daisy Josephine Nuncio, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver and passengers of the other vehicle sustained minor injuries and were transported to a local hospital. Police confirmed the driver of the second vehicle was not impaired and is cooperating with the investigation.
This is being investigated as Austin’s 11th traffic fatality of the year. All the information is currently preliminary and could change. This time last year, the city had only seen five fatal crashes resulting in five crashes.
Anyone with information should contact the Vehicular Homicide Unit at 512-974-8111. You can also submit an anonymous tip through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting the website or calling 512-472-8477.
The city’s 10th traffic fatality of 2026 happened in the early morning hours of Feb. 10, when a car struck a pedestrian in the 10400 block of South I-35. The pedestrian was pronounced dead on the scene. The driver was determined to be unimpaired and cooperated with the investigation.
And the city’s ninth traffic fatality of the year occurred a week earlier, when a motorcyclist was struck in the intersection of East Parmer Lane and Old Hwy 20 after being briefly pursued by a Texas Department of Motor Safety trooper. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.
Austin, TX
Texas student walkouts: AG launches investigation into 3 districts
AUSTIN, Texas – Three Texas school districts are now under investigation by the Texas Attorney General over recent student walkouts in protest of ICE operations and immigration policies.
AG Ken Paxton announced the investigations into North East ISD, Dallas ISD and Manor ISD on Monday.
This comes after Paxton’s previously announced investigation into Austin ISD over similar walkouts.
What they’re saying:
Paxton’s office says that the investigations are due to “concerns that ISD administration and faculty orchestrated the protests.”
“It appears that these ISDs have taken little to no action to ensure the safety of students and to stop large-scale interruptions of classroom instructional time,” says Paxton’s office.
The ISDs have been ordered to hand over information regarding policies related to students leaving campus, excused absences, and security protocols, as well as internal communications regarding the protests.
The AG’s office says it will be investigating the use of public funds and whether any laws were violated.
The other side:
Manor ISD responded to FOX 7 Austin with a statement, saying:
Manor ISD is aware of the Attorney General’s announcement regarding an investigation related to student walkouts that occurred on our campuses and is confident the review will show that staff followed district procedures and Texas Education Agency guidance, including ensuring attendance guidelines were followed and keeping student safety as the top priority during the days the walkouts occurred.
North East ISD provided a statement as well, saying:
We are aware of the Attorney General’s investigation, which is focused on Churchill High School. We are fully cooperating and gathering documentation to provide to the AG’s Office. In fact, in the spirit of transparency, we are providing additional documentation for other schools as well. NEISD gave guidance to staff before the TEA issued its guidance and it was substantially similar. Staff was informed to follow our policies which dictate that their role is to supervise students, maintain a safe learning environment, and remain professionally neutral. Staff was reminded to not encourage, endorse, discourage, or attempt to persuade students about participating in a walkout or protest.
NEISD also provided information that was given to parents ahead of the protests:
NEISD is aware of student protests going on this week. Here is how our schools are handling the situation:
While the campus respects our students’ rights to express their individual views, our highest priorities are to maintain students’ safety on campus and preserve a rich learning environment accessible to all of our students.
Should students participate in a walkout, we want to be clear that students will be considered truant from class resulting in an unexcused absence. Additionally, if the event creates a significant disruption to learning or creates any type of physical danger to others such as bringing weapons or inciting violence, students will receive disciplinary consequences ranging from detention or In-school suspension to Out-of-school suspension or recommendation to an alternative educational setting.
Campus administration will maintain vigilance about the potential of a walkout; communicate with NEPD and NEISD campus safety about any needs for support; communicate with faculty about response practices, and with families about new developments. We also want to encourage families to speak with your student(s) about the potential dangers and/or consequences of participating in an event of this nature.
FOX 7 Austin has reached out to Dallas ISD for comment as well.
Paxton’s previous investigation in Austin ISD
Dig deeper:
Paxton previously announced an investigation into Austin ISD after students from 14 campuses walked out of class and off campus to protest ICE on Jan. 30.
Paxton claimed in the announcement that reports indicated district personnel were aware of the walkouts and had in some instances facilitated students leaving campus.
AISD Superintendent Matias Segura has said those walkouts were not sponsored or endorsed by the district.
Austin ISD has since developed more detailed protest protocols to “ensure the safety of our students and staff while maintaining our focus on on-campus instruction.” The district also addressed staff expectations after the TEA released new guidelines concerning political activity on campus and involving students, teachers and staff.
The Source: Information in this report comes from Texas AG Ken Paxton’s office, Manor ISD and previous reporting by FOX 7 Austin
Austin, TX
Already a star, Dylan Volantis now has a new pitch for Texas baseball
Volantis rode a uniquely dynamic sinker and borderline unhittable slider to a remarkable freshman season pitching out of the bullpen. Now the Longhorns’ Sunday starter, the 6-foot-6 Californian added a changeup to give him a third option that can help him manage multiple trips through the opposition’s lineup.
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Texas Longhorns infielder Adrian Rodriguez (24) slides home for a score during the game against UC Davis at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-StatesmanHe broke it out for the first time in Sunday’s 9-1 victory over UC Davis. Nine of the 78 pitches he threw were changeups. Four of those missed the zone, three generated swings and misses and one was taken for a strike. The only hit Volantis surrendered in seven sparkling innings came on a changeup that Aggies leftfielder Zach Story tagged for a double.
“It felt really good,” Volantis said afterward. “Threw it in the strike zone. So really happy with where it’s at.”
The pitch, Volantis said, is meant to generate weak contact. Fading down and away from righthanded batters, the diminished velocity can keep hitters honest and help keep them off his sinker.
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“Get the hitters out in front, make them roll over, swing and miss kind of deal,” he said.

Texas Longhorns pitcher Dylan Volantis (99) throws a pitch during the NCAA D1 Baseball Tournament Regional against UTSA at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Saturday, May 31, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
Sometimes, adding an extra ingredient can throw the recipe out of balance. Volantis’ changeup, at least on Sunday, acted like a bit of whipped cream atop a mug of hot chocolate or a dab of ketchup on french fries.
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MORE: Anthony Pack Jr. showcases star potential in Texas Longhorns’ season-opening win
Volantis allowed one unearned run in seven innings. He gave up just one hit and a walk while striking out eight Aggies. If there were any concerns about how his profile might play as a starting pitcher after he pitched to a 1.92 ERA out of the bullpen last year, Sunday’s outing calmed them.
“He had full control of the game,” Texas coach Jim Schlossnagle said. “Felt like once he kind of found himself there in the second inning, found his breaking ball, he really looked like himself from the last year.”
The true difference maker, as usual, was Volantis’ sinking fastball.
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Texas pitcher Dylan Volantis (99) celebrates a strikeout to win the game as the Longhorns play the Texas A&M Aggies in the second game of a three-game series on Saturday afternoon at UFCU Disch-Falk Field in Austin, April 26, 2025. Texas won the two first games, clinching the Lone Star Showdown victory.
Sara Diggins/American-StatesmanBecause of Volantis’ height, hitters say, the sinking action on the pitch appears more dramatic. Volantis missed plenty of bats, but he also generated loads of soft contact as hitters failed to lift his sinker. Ten of the 21 outs Volantis secured came from ground balls.
NO. 3 TEXAS VS. LAMAR
“It’s deception,” Texas shortstop Adrian Rodriguez said. “He’s so over the top. He’s just one of a kind. He’s one of the best pitchers in the country.”
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One of the best pitchers in the country, using Rodriguez’s words, is starting on Sundays, where many programs often find themselves short of viable options after exhausting them on Fridays and Saturdays. Just ask No. 23 Vanderbilt and No. 2 LSU, who gave up 11 and 7 runs, respectively, to unranked teams Sunday.
Factoring in strong outings by Ruger Riojas on Friday and Luke Harrison on Saturday, Texas’ starting pitchers allowed three earned runs in 17⅓ innings of work on the weekend.
“We got three really good starts,” Schlossnagle said. “Luke had to pitch around some traffic, as did Ruger in the first game. Dylan was obviously awesome. So I feel really good about that.”
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