Longhorns To Play In 2024 Astros Foundation College Classic, Will Face Defending National Champs

Texas baseball heads to the Juice Box in 2024 for a three-game showdown against a pair of future conference foes.

Texas Longhorns baseball will get a taste of life in the SEC before its full-time arrival on July 1, 2024, with a road trip down to Minute Maid Park in Houston in March. 

The Longhorns are one of four teams invited to play in the 24th annual Astros Foundation College Classic on March 1-3. Others making the trip to H-Town include 2023 College World Series champions LSU, Vanderbilt and Houston. The Cougars will be first-year members in the Big 12 after becoming full-time members on Saturday. 

LSU, a powerhouse around the diamond, picked up its 2009 under second-year coach Jay Johnson in a 2-1 series victory over Florida. Cade Beloso two-run blast in the top of the 11th secured a 4-3 win for the Tigers in Game 1, while the bats remained hot in Game 3 to secure the 18-4 victory. 

Despite several key departures, The Tigers are still expected to be one of the top programs in baseball in 2024. Two-time SEC Player of the Year and projected No. 1 pick in the 2023 MLB Draft Dylan Crews is expected to head to the pros. So is SEC Pitcher of the Year and College World Series MVP Paul Skenes. 

The Longhorns and Tigers last met at "The Disch" in Austin in February for a one-game showdown. Lebarron Johnson Jr. delivered five shutout innings, but a pair of walks to begin the ninth led to a three-run blast by Gavin Dugas to give LSU the 3-0 win. 

Texas delivered the year prior at the Shriner's Children College Classic in Houston with a 6-1 victory. Tristan Stevens allowed five hits and stuck out seven in seven frames, while Douglas Hodo III and Murphy Stehly each notched a home run. 

Vanderbilt, one of college baseball's top programs, should remain a contender to return to Omaha after winning the SEC Tournament in April. The Commodores are slated to return over dozen players under longtime manager Tim Corbin following an early exit in the Nashville Regional. 

Houston (36-23, 17-11 AAC), which finished second in the American Athletic Conference, will try to contend for a Big 12 title in Year 1. The Cougars are expected to return home run leader Zach Arnold (17), leading hitter Justin Murray and Ace Kyle Ayers. 

Here's the tentative tournament schedule with home teams listed second. The schedule is subject to change.

2024 ASTROS FOUNDATION COLLEGE CLASSIC SCHEDULE:

• Friday, March 1
  • Houston vs. Texas State 11:05 a.m.
  • Louisiana vs. Vanderbilt 3:05 p.m.
  • LSU vs. Texas 7:05 p.m.
• Saturday, March 2
  • Vanderbilt vs. Houston 11:05 a.m.
  • Texas State vs. Texas 3:05 p.m.
  • Louisiana vs. LSU 7:05 p.m.
• Sunday, March 3
  • Texas vs. Vanderbilt 11:05 a.m.
  • Texas State vs. LSU 3:05 p.m.
  • Houston vs. Louisiana 7:05 p.m.

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