ADA, Okla.—The University of Texas at Tyler Baseball (20-12) increased their win streak to seven games on Tuesday with a 13-8 road victory over NCAA Division II East Central University (7-36).
 
After the Patriots fell into an early deficit in the first inning, UT Tyler bounced back on the top of the second inning to grab the lead. Freshman infielder Zachary Sanchez (San Antonio, Texas) put two runners in scoring position with a double to right field before senior infielder Blake Maddox (Jacksonville, Texas) scored from third base on a wild pitch. Junior outfielder Kolton Forsythe (Oak Ridge, Texas) put UT Tyler on top with a ground out to short stop that allowed Zachary Sanchez to cross home plate.
 
UT Tyler doubled their score in the third inning with a pair of runs. Senior outfielder Graham Welch (Plano, Texas) came to the plate with the bases loaded and drew a walk to score one run. With the bases still loaded later in the inning, senior infielder Blake Wilson (Midlothian, Texas) gave the Patriots a 4-1 lead when he scored on another wild pitch.
 
In the top of the fourth inning, Forsythe doubled to center field as the leadoff batter but the next two batters were retired. With two-outs, sophomore outfielder Tanner Roach (Whitehouse, Texas) kept the inning alive with a double to right center field. The hit plated Forsythe and put the Patriots on top, 5-1.
 
The scoring continued in the fifth inning after Welch sent a one-out double into left field. Zachary Sanchez eventually singled to right field to bring home Welch while Forsythe followed with a single to left field that brought Zachary Sanchez across home plate. The two runs extended the UT Tyler lead to six, 7-1.
 
East Central could not calm the Patriot bats in the sixth inning either with five more runs getting on the scoreboard. Senior infielder Henry Sanchez (San Antonio, Texas) began the inning with a single while the next two batters were walked to load the bases. Senior outfielder Josh Burns (Center, Texas) sent a single down the left field line to score two runs. After Welch was walked to load the bases again, Maddox sent a single to center field that advance each runner one base and plate another run. Senior catcher Zach Pavelock (Iola, Texas) brought in the fifth run of the inning with a single to right field that made it a 12-1 advantage.
 
With three runs in the bottom of the sixth, the Tigers began to chip away at the lead which was trimmed to eight runs. Wilson gave the Patriots one more run in the top of the seventh with a sacrifice fly to center field. The play brought home Henry Sanchez and gave UT Tyler a 13-4 advantage, but East Central continued their comeback in the bottom of the seventh with four more runs.
Neither team was able to score over the final two innings with the Patriots holding on for a 13-8 road victory. Junior left-handed pitcher Max Page (Montgomery, Texas) started the day on the mound for UT Tyler and earned his third win of the season. He pitched two innings and surrendered just one run on two hits. Freshman right-hander Kasey Williamson (Madisonville, Texas) tossed the next three innings and allowed just two baserunners over the minimum while also striking out a pair. Freshman right-hander Tod McDowell (Bridge City, Texas), freshman right-hander Matthew McMillan (Pflugerville, Texas), and Welch combined to pitch the final four innings and seal the win.
 
At the plate, Henry Sanchez recorded a game high three hits which included a triple in the seventh inning. Burns, Forsythe, and Pavelock each drove in a pair of runs while five different Patriots scored a pair of runs each.
 
The Patriots will now return to Irwin Field for the final home series of the season. UT Tyler will host Howard Payne University Friday at 7 p.m. and for a doubleheader on Saturday at 1 p.m. The team's senior will be honored on Saturday.