Jalin Flores Delivers 9th-Inning Grand Slam as Texas Rallies to Stun Texas State

On a Tuesday night that promised fireworks, the Texas Longhorns delivered their most dramatic act yet. Trailing late in the game and seemingly headed for defeat, Texas found a hero in sophomore infielder Jalin Flores, who blasted a ninth-inning grand slam to complete an exhilarating 14-11 comeback win over in-state rival Texas State. In a season already rich with highlight-reel moments, this game will go down as one of the defining showdowns — a mix of grit, resilience, and raw power that showcased just how dangerous Texas can be when the stakes are high.

A Back-and-Forth Battle

From the first pitch, this game had the feel of something special. Texas State came out swinging, scoring in the early innings and putting pressure on Texas’ pitching staff. The Bobcats built a lead by capitalizing on timely hits, drawing walks, and forcing the Longhorns into some early defensive miscues. By the middle innings, Texas State held a slim but dangerous lead, putting the Longhorns in chase mode.

Texas answered with bursts of offense, including a pair of home runs from Dylan Campbell and Porter Brown, but every time they seemed to close the gap, the Bobcats found a way to stay a step ahead. Through eight innings, Texas trailed 11-8, their offense having produced consistently, but not quite explosively enough.

That all changed in the ninth.

The Ninth-Inning Setup

Texas came to bat in the top of the ninth knowing they needed at least three runs to tie the game — and more to win it outright. The inning began with an infield single from Jared Thomas, followed by a walk and a bloop hit to shallow right. Just like that, the bases were loaded with no outs.

A strikeout and a fielder’s choice later, the Longhorns were down to their final out. The crowd buzzed with anticipation and anxiety as Jalin Flores stepped into the box. Known for his power and poise, Flores had delivered in clutch situations before — but this would be his biggest moment yet.

Flores’ Moment of Glory

Facing a 2-2 count against Texas State’s hard-throwing closer, Flores dug in. The pitch was a fastball over the plate, and Flores didn’t miss. With a violent, yet balanced swing, he sent the ball towering over the left-field wall. The instant it left the bat, there was no doubt — grand slam.

Flores rounded the bases in near disbelief as the Texas dugout exploded. His four-RBI blast turned an 11-10 deficit into a 14-11 lead in the span of a single swing. By the time he touched home plate, the momentum had fully swung to the Longhorns, who were now three outs away from an unforgettable victory.

The Final Three Outs

With the adrenaline still surging from Flores’ heroics, Texas took the field in the bottom of the ninth and quickly shut the door. Closer Charlie Hurley came in and induced two groundouts and a strikeout, sealing the victory and sending the visiting bench into celebration.

While it wasn’t a clean game by any means — both teams made errors and gave up crooked numbers — it was a testament to Texas’ resilience. Head coach David Pierce called it “the most satisfying win of the season,” and few would disagree.

Flores Reflects on the Big Swing

After the game, Jalin Flores spoke to reporters, still somewhat in awe of what had just happened.

“I was just trying to put the ball in play,” Flores said. “You don’t go up there thinking home run. But I got a pitch I could handle, and I knew I barreled it.”

Asked how it felt rounding the bases in such a pivotal moment, Flores smiled. “It felt like I was floating. You dream about those moments as a kid — bases loaded, ninth inning. To live it out in this uniform, it means everything.”

A Season of Clutch Performances

While Tuesday’s grand slam will go down as his most dramatic hit, Flores has been trending upward all season. He’s hit over .300 in conference play, drawn walks at a high rate, and continued to improve defensively. But it’s his knack for the big moment that has made him a standout.

Earlier this season, Flores hit another grand slam during a non-conference series, and he’s had multiple multi-RBI games where he provided the difference in tight contests. His combination of power, discipline, and defensive versatility makes him one of the most valuable players on the roster.

Teammates React

Teammates and coaches were quick to shower praise on Flores after the game.

“That’s our guy,” said catcher Garret Guillemette. “He works so hard and never makes it about himself. To see him come through in a moment like that — it’s awesome.”

Outfielder Eric Kennedy added, “You could feel it. The moment he hit it, we all just took off. That’s the kind of hit that can change a season.”

Head coach David Pierce, who has coached some of the program’s best hitters in recent years, didn’t hesitate to call the moment one of the biggest in his tenure.

“He’s maturing before our eyes,” Pierce said. “Jalin has worked incredibly hard, and what you saw tonight was the payoff. That wasn’t luck — that was preparation, poise, and talent all coming together.”

The Road Ahead

With the win, Texas improves to 35-12 on the season and maintains momentum heading into a critical stretch of conference play. With postseason positioning on the line, the Longhorns know that every game counts — and that moments like Flores’ grand slam can be the spark that fuels a deep run.

They’ll face a tough schedule over the next two weeks, with games against nationally ranked opponents and high-stakes conference series. But if Tuesday night showed anything, it’s that Texas has the grit and firepower to compete with anyone.

A Defining Moment

College baseball seasons are long and unpredictable. There are slumps, hot streaks, injuries, and breakout performances. But every team that makes a serious run has at least one moment where something clicks — where a player steps up, the team rallies, and the season takes on new meaning.

For the 2025 Texas Longhorns, that moment may have arrived on April 22, in a small stadium packed with fans from both sides. A moment when a sophomore named Jalin Flores turned a loss into a win, a struggle into a statement, and etched his name into the lore of Texas baseball.

Whether they go on to win the Big 12, earn a top seed in the NCAA Tournament, or make it to Omaha, this game — and that swing — will be remembered.

Baseball has a way of delivering magic at the most unexpected times. For Jalin Flores and the Longhorns, the magic came in the ninth inning, when the odds were stacked against them, and belief was their most valuable asset.

This wasn’t just a win — it was a declaration. Texas isn’t backing down. They’re swinging for it all.