TYLER, Texas—The University of Texas at Tyler Baseball (22-14) split a doubleheader with Howard Payne University (22-14) on Saturday afternoon at Irwin Field but earned a series win with their victory. The Patriots shutout the Yellow Jackets in the seven-inning opener, 2-0, before dropping their series finale, 9-6.
 
A total of 10 Patriots competed on their home field for the final time in the collegiate careers and were honored in-between contests. The group has won 130 games over the past four seasons including NCAA Division III Regional Appearances, two ASC Tournament Crowns, and an NCAA Division III National Championship in 2018.
 
The opening game was a pitchers' duel from the start with Patriots junior right-handed pitcher Austin Schneider (Keller, Texas) retiring the first five batters he faced. He struck out two batters during the stretch and stranded both baserunners that reached in the second inning.
 
Senior infielder Blake Wilson (Midlothian, Texas) was the lone UT Tyler hit during the first three innings. He singled to center field with one out in the bottom of the first inning and eventually made it to third base but would be stranded there.
 
The middle innings went by quickly with just five combined baserunners between the third and fifth innings including a double play for each team. The sixth inning would be the longest of the game with the Patriots breaking the scoreless tie. Wilson singled to lead off the bottom half of the inning before senior outfielder Josh Burns (Center, Texas) pushed him to second base with a sacrifice bunt. Senior outfielder Graham Welch (Plano, Texas) was intentionally walked which set up a two-RBI single to center field by freshman infielder Zachary Sanchez (San Antonio, Texas). Those two runs would be the difference maker with UT Tyler closing out the game in the seventh inning.
 
Schneider lasted just shy of a complete game with 6.2 innings of work. He struck out six batters and allowed just four hits without allowing a run to the Yellow Jackets. With the victory, Schneider recorded his team-high seventh win on the mound this season. Freshman right-hander Matthew McMillan (Pflugerville, Texas) recorded the final out of the game to seal his third save of the season.
 
At the plate, Wilson was the lone Patriot with multiple hits going 2-2 with a run scored. Senior infielder Blake Maddox (Jacksonville, Texas), junior outfielder Zane Wilkinson (Keller, Texas), and Zachary Sanchez each recorded a single hit.
 
In the series finale, Howard Payne wasted little time getting out to an early lead. The first two batters of the game reached for the Yellow Jackets while a groundout brought home the first run. The Patriots evened the score in the bottom of the second inning when three straight batters reached with two outs. Wilkinson was walked while back-to-back singles by sophomore outfielder Tanner Roach (Whitehouse, Texas) and Wilson allowed a run to score.
 
The Yellow Jackets found their offense in the third inning and broke the game open with a grand slam. The long ball broke the tie and put HPU ahead, 5-1 on the scoreboard. They added to their lead in the top of the fifth inning with back-to-back singles to lead off the frame. UT Tyler matched with a run of their own in the home half which began with a double to left field by Welch. A two-out single later in the inning by senior infielder Henry Sanchez (San Antonio, Texas) plated Welch and made it a 6-2 HPU lead.
 
Four more runs came around to score for the Patriots in the sixth with three straight batters reaching on one out. Roach doubled up the middle and then advanced to third on a single through the left side by Wilson. The first run came around to score on an infield error with Burns at the plate and then Welch advanced both runners into scoring position on a flyout to right field. A single to center field by Maddox then scored both runners and pulled UT Tyler within a run, 6-5, after six innings.
 
Both teams scored in the seventh inning with HPU getting two runs across on a homerun to left center. UT Tyler could only match one run in the home half to make it an 8-6 Yellow Jacket lead. Senior catcher Zach Pavelock (Iola, Texas) and sophomore outfielder Brandon Rossiter (Whitehouse, Texas) recorded back-to-back singles before a groundout from roach allowed the Patriot run to score.
 
An insurance run came across for the Yellow Jackets in the top of the ninth inning to give them their 9-6 advantage. Unable to plate a baserunner in the final half inning, the Patriots dropped the finale but claimed a series victory.
 
UT Tyler had two pitcher work the nine-inning contest with both tossing 80-plus pitches. Junior left-handed pitcher Max Page (Montgomery, Texas) got the start and tossed the first four innings. He took the loss after allowing six runs, but he also struck out five batters. Freshman right-hander Kasey Williamson (Madisonville, Texas) allowed three runs over his five innings of work and punched out eight Yellow Jackets.
 
Roach ended the home schedule with a 4-4 day at the plate with a run scored and another driven in. Wilson and Welch both recorded a pair of hits and a run scored while Wilson also picked up an RBI.
 
The Patriots will take to the road for their final home series of the 2019 season. They will travel to Alpine, Texas for a three-game series with Sul Ross State on Friday and Saturday. The first fame will take place Friday night at 7 p.m. before a doubleheader on Saturday scheduled for 1 p.m.