Longhorns Closer Finds Strength in His Faith During Historic Rookie Season

Published: June 19, 2026

FA47106D-035F-4A2D-97F8-28583CA508E6_1_201_a — Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash

By Mallory Mattingly

University of Texas closing pitcher Sam Cozart relied heavily on his faith as he left his family and friends to pursue his career in baseball.

“For me, it’s been a big thing, being away from home, being away from my family, away from my grandparents,” Cozart told Sports Spectrum of his faith in Christ while at the College World Series. “It’s been hard, and using my faith just to be comfortable with myself as I’ve gone around. Being comfortable being away from my family has been my biggest thing, and also with any stress or any sort of anxiety that I’ve had going out to the mound, I’ve been able to pray and seek the Lord to help me with that.”

“Jesus is the one who has given me, honestly, the strength to be able to continue to go out and pitch every single day and do what I do,” the pitcher added.

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Cozart, who has Joshua 1:8-9 written in his bio, is a standout pitcher. He was named the National Freshman Pitcher of the Year as well as the Stopper of the Year.

“Jesus is my Savior,” Cozart said. “He truly has saved me, and He’s given me the opportunity to see the good in people…He’s allowed me to open up and be more open in my faith.”

Unfortunately, the Longhorns’ run in the College World Series came to an end on Tuesday night as they lost to Georgia.

Cozart took the mound “with the bases loaded and two away in the sixth. Cozart struck out Kolby Branch to escape the threat. The NCBWA National Freshman Pitcher of the Year limited the Bulldogs (53-13) to only one run on three hits the rest of the way. Cozart collected six strikeouts, capping off his historic rookie campaign with a 1.72 ERA,” according to the Longhorns media team.

“We have supreme confidence in him,” head coach Jim Schlossnagle said after the Longhorns Super Regional victory against Oregon. “That’s why he was out there with Omaha on the line.”

“At the end of the day, I’m just excited to be able to play baseball,” Cozart said. “I love playing the game — I love being able to go out and compete.”

With his faith guiding him through the distance from home and the pressures of the game, Cozart looks forward to a bright future, ready to take the mound wherever the Lord leads him next.

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