TYLER, Texas—The University of Texas at Tyler Softball (11-0) swept a doubleheader against American Southwest Conference opponent McMurry University (7-9) Friday evening at Suddenlink Field. The Patriots did not allow a run in either contest winning the first game, 1-0, and the second game, 8-0.
 
Game one was a pitcher's duel from the start. After allowing s leadoff single, senior left-handed pitcher Colleen Bentke (Brenham, Texas) retired the next eight McMurry batters she faced. She struck out the final two batters of the first inning before striking out another in the second inning. The Patriots got a runner into scoring position in both the first two innings but the game remained scoreless after three innings.
 
UT Tyler began to add some offensive pressure in the middle innings with a single from senior infielder Serena Saldivar (Garland, Texas) in the fourth inning and another by senior outfielder Nicole Garcia (Sugar Land, Texas) in the bottom of the fifth. Defensively, the War Hawks advanced a runner to third base in the top of the fifth but the Patriot defense stranded her there to maintain the scoreless game into the sixth inning.
 
The Patriots took the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning with sophomore catcher Ashley Perez (Pflugerville, Texas) reaching on a walk as the first batter of the inning. Sophomore outfielder Shea Smith (League City, Texas) pinch ran for Perez and stole second base. The next batter, senior infielder Theresa Gonzalez (Elgin, Texas) singles up the middle to score Smith as the first run of the game. It would prove to be the deciding run with UT Tyler getting out of a bases loaded jam in the top of the seventh to end the game.
 
Bentke pitched into the seventh inning to push her season record to 5-0 She also lowered her season ERA to 1.75 with her second combined shutout of the season. Junior utility Miranda Leal (San Antonio, Texas) recorded the final two outs to pick up her third save of the season. Garcia was the lone hitter in the Patriot lineup with multiple hits. She went 3-3 in the game with three base hits and a pair of stolen bases.
 
In the second game, UT Tyler wasted little time getting the lead with a run in the bottom of the first inning. Garcia led off with a bunt single before stealing second base. She advanced to third on a senior infielder Victoria Gonzales (Elgin, Texas) before a Perez sacrifice fly brought her home.
 
Three more runs scored for UT Tyler in the bottom of the third inning. With one out, four-consecutive batters reached base beginning with a Victoria Gonzalez single to right field. Both Perez and Theresa Gonzalez were walked to loaded the bases, setting up a two-RBI single for Saldivar.
 
Leading 4-0, the Patriot offense did not let up in the bottom of the fourth inning. With two outs, Garcia was hit by a pitch and stole second base for the second time in the game. She then came around to score on a single by Victoria Gonzales. A Perez single advanced her to second base before Theresa Gonzalez drove her in as the sixth UT Tyler run of the game.
 
Trying to end the game early, freshman infielder Channing Tart (Malakoff, Texas) singled to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning. The next three batters also reach with Tart scoring on a senior outfielder Dariann Resendez (Austin, Texas) single and sophomore infielder Mak Dominguez (Austin, Texas) coming home on a sacrifice fly by Garcia to end the game, 8-0, after five innings.
 
Junior right-handed pitcher Whitney Romero (Lafayette, Louisiana) picked up the win in the circle for the Patriots to move to 5-0 on the season. With the shutout, she also lowered her season ERA to 1.25. Victoria Gonzales led the team offensively going 3-3 at the plate while tart added two more hits and an RBI.
 
The Patriots will go for the series sweep Saturday afternoon with a single game against the War Hawks. First pitch is scheduled for noon at Suddenlink Field.