TYLER, TEXAS – The Patriots baseball program will add a host of newcomers as they look to build on the success of the spring season.
 
The 2022 season will be the first year UT Tyler will be eligible for postseason baseball in the Division II era following the mandatory three-year transition period. The program went 25-15 overall with a 23-13 conference record in the 2021 season.
 
Last spring saw the Patriots go a combined 8-4 in Lone Star Conference series matchups, and is sure to be a huge stepping stone moving forward into the 2022 scheduled slate.
 
This year's recruiting class will bring in 11 pitchers and five position players, of which four are true freshman, seven are two-year college transfers, and five are four-year university transfers.

"We are extremely excited about this 2021 recruiting class. I feel like this is one of the most quality groups we've had in my 5 years here," head coach Brent Porche said. "We are not only excited about the players that these young men are, but the type of people they are. Coach White is the best in the business and did a tremendous job of identifying the right guys and getting them to campus. We are fortunate to have a staff of coaches who have all coached, recruited and played at all different levels of baseball. We couldn't get this done without the entire staff's effort. I'm especially proud of work Coach White and Coach Vruggink put in to pull this class together. I'm excited to see the value that these guys can bring to our program in our first full year to compete in Division II. Now it's time to go to work!"

Here is a short introduction of each of the new pitchers and a quote from pitching coach Ryan Vruggink as well as an introduction of each of the new position players and a quote by hitting coach Taylor White.
THE NEW PATRIOT PITCHERS: 11
 
Tyler Baack (Freshman, RHP)
Hometown: Sour Lake, Texas
Previous School: Hardin Jefferson HS
 
"Tyler is a young arm that we are excited about.  He has the chance to make an impact for us right away.  He has the make-up of what you want out of an incoming freshman and we can't wait to work with him this fall and see where we can get him to come spring time."
 
Tyler was a 2021 District 21 4A First Team member.  In his senior season he had a 1.91 ERA over 29.1 IP and had 4 wins on the year.
 
Bryson Adair (Freshman, RHP/MIF)
Hometown: Malakoff, Texas
Previous School: Malakoff HS
 
"Bryson is a very talented two-way player that will be recovering from an arm injury this year but we are really excited to have him in the program.  He was on the 2021 3A Texas State Championship Malakoff High School baseball team where he played for his father, John Adair.  Bryson was the MVP of the state championship tournament."
 
Adair had a batting average of .506 with 43 hits, five home runs, 33 runs batted in, 52 runs scored, 41 walks and 20 stolen bases which led him to being named player of the year in Henderson County.
 
Nick Oslovar (Freshman, RHP)
Hometown: Round Rock, Texas
Previous School: Navarro Junior College
 
"Nick is a back-end arm that we expect to contribute in a big way this coming season.  Losing McMillan and Long in the back end from last year, there are a lot of innings to compete for back there and we expect Nick to be in the mix to earn those with some of our returning bullpen arms."
 
Nick went 2-2 over 10 appearances with 14.0 innings pitched this past year.  He battled an injury early in the year, but helped Navarro to the regional championship series versus San Jacinto. He had a 1.93 ERA and compiled 19 strikeouts to nine walks on the year.
 
Dylan Blomquist (Freshman, LHP/OF)
Hometown: Belton, Texas
Previous School: Temple College
 
"Dylan is another transfer arm coming in that we are excited about and think has a potential to make a big impact on the mound.  Dylan should compete for a starting role for this coming season.  He is a competitor and throws four pitches for strikes with a lot of feel."
 
Blomquist started 11 games and had 12 appearances to finish with a 5-3 record and two complete games. He threw 58 innings with 63 strikeouts, 17 walks, and a 3.57 ERA.
 
Easton Malin (Freshman, RHP)
Hometown: Sugar Land, Texas
Previous School: Cisco College
 
"Easton is another arm that we expect to compete for a starting role this year.  He brings a good wealth of experience from a winning program in Cisco College that we think should put him in a big role.  He is another guy that pounds the strike zone and competes anytime he is on the mound."
 
Malin appeared in 17 games last year for the Wranglers. He threw 29 innings and tallied a 6-2 record with 3 saves.
 
Noah Beason (Sophomore, RHP)
Hometown: Lufkin, Texas
Previous School: LSU – Eunice
 
"Noah is joining us from one of the winningest programs, and this past year's NJCAA Division II National Champion, and we are pumped to bring him to our team from LSU- Eunice. Noah has had the opportunity to throw in some big games in his time there and if he is in the zone he will be a major contributor for us and have a really big role on the team."
 
Beason appeared in 13 games for the national champion Bengals. In those 13 games he tallied 15 innings and recorded 17 strikeouts.
 
AJ Yamaguchi (Sophomore, RHP)
Hometown: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Previous School: Colby College
 
"AJ will be joining us from Colby College in Kansas where they are coming off a great year.  AJ battled some injuries last year but was able to throw in three games down the stretch for them and had a lot of success.  In those 4.0 innings, he had eight strikeouts and got a win for them as well.  If he is healthy, he has a chance to serve a lot of roles for us and we are really excited to see him compete this fall and how hard he works."
 
Zach Young (Freshman, RHP)
Hometown: Deer Park, Texas
Previous School: Galveston College
 
"Zach will be a great addition to the program following his time at Galveston College.  He was recovering from surgery last year but is healthy and ready to compete this fall for us and we are really excited and what we think he can be.  He is a 6'7, right-handed pitcher that throws a heavy fastball and is going to have a chance to be a big help."
 
Harrison Lee (Sophomore, RHP)
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Previous School: Stephen F. Austin
 
"Harrison is an arm joining us from SFA that we are thrilled to get in the program.  He has a desire to win and a work ethic that we would put against anyone in the country and is dedicated to getting better.  He threw in 16 games last year, all in relief, and compiled 21 innings for the Lumberjacks last season with a 2-2 record.  He had 24 strikeouts and 15 walks.  We are expecting him to compete for a starting role this year and are excited to see what he brings to the team."
 
Hayden Collins (Junior, RHP)
Hometown: Cypress, Texas
Previous School: Sam Houston State
 
"Hayden will be joining us from Sam Houston where he redshirted this past season.  He also attended Panola College before where he was a big piece for the Ponies. Hayden is a baseball guy that wants to do whatever it takes to help the team win and will be a big addition to the program. Hayden will have a chance to compete for a number of roles this year."
 
Mitchell Lee (Senior, RHP)
Hometown: Orange, Texas
Previous School: Lamar
 
"Mitchell will be coming back to Tyler from Lamar University.  Prior to going to Lamar, Mitch was a member of Tyler Junior College, where he was a big piece on their teams that were in the World Series.  We are excited for the opportunity to work with him and look forward to watching him work for a major role in our bullpen."
 
The new pitchers for the Patriots will look to build on last year's stats that saw the program finish second in the Lone Star Conference in total strikeouts while also allowing the fifth lowest batting average and fifth fewest hits.
 
THE NEW PATRIOTS POSITION PLAYERS: 5
 
Erik Owen (Senior, UT)
Hometown: White Oak, Texas
Previous School: Keiser
 
"Erik is coming back home to East Texas after playing in Florida the last couple of years for Keiser University, where they played in the NAIA World Series this past year. He is the type of ball player that you want in your program. He is a tough, gritty competitor that has a super high baseball IQ. Erik has the ability to play just about any position on the field and handles the bat very well."
 
Owen started all 51 games last year at 2^nd base for the Seahawks. He had a .301 batting average with 58 hits and 47 runs batted in.
 
Tommy Van De Sanden (Junior, IF)
Hometown: Bloemendaal, Netherlands
Previous School: South Alabama
 
"Tommy is coming to us from the University of South Alabama. Tommy was also coached by Coach Vruggink in junior college at Mineral Area College. He is a very good athlete that is a very good infield defender. He handles the bat well and can run very well. Tommy is also a member of the Dutch National Baseball Team."
 
Elliot Ranson (Sophomore, IF)
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Previous School: Western Texas College
"Elliot comes to us from Western Texas College where he has played short stop and second base for the last several years. Elliot is a good athlete that has a chance to steal bases and handle the bat well. He is a coach's son and has a high baseball IQ."
 
Elliot had 38 game appearances and batted .338 with 29 runs batted in. He also scored 28 runs and stole 16 bases for the Westerners.
 
Kaston Mason (Freshman, 1B/OF)
Hometown: Rockwall, Texas
Previous School: Rockwall Heath HS
 
"Kaston comes to us from Rockwall Heath High School where he won the 6A state championship this year. He hit in the middle of the lineup for them all year long. Kaston is an advanced hitter for a high school graduate and has great strike zone recognition. We are excited for him to continue to mature as a hitter here at UT Tyler. Kaston played summer ball for Logan Stout's Dallas Patriots, which is one of the premier summer ball organizations in Texas."
 
Nick Miller (Freshman, IF)
Hometown: Frisco, Texas
Previous School: Frisco Wakeland HS
 
"Nick comes to us from Frisco Wakeland High School where they advanced to the 5A Regional Final. Nick is an infielder that can play multiple positions on the dirt. He is a switch hitter that swings it equally well from both sides of the plate. Nick played summer ball for the Dallas Tigers, who is a long-time great organization in the state of Texas."
 
These five new position players look to come in and have a quick impact as they join a Patriots team that finished with a .269 batting average and an OPS of .802. At the same time, the program compiled 363 hits and had 271 runs batted in.