TYLER, TEXAS – The UT Tyler baseball program will begin their 2022 home slate on Friday night with a 7 p.m. first pitch against Texas A&M International, followed by a doubleheader on Saturday and a 1 p.m. contest on Sunday.
THE NEW SEASON HAS BEGUN
UT Tyler took on #5 Angelo State on the road to open their season and came away with a 2-2 series split. After a 9-4 loss on opening day, the Patriots responded by sweeping the doubleheader on Sunday before falling 5-4 in the fourth and final game on Monday.
The Patriots offense was the story as three different players are batting over .400 and eight different players have an RBI so far this season.
Ethan Bedgood leads UT Tyler in RBI's with six, and is batting .455 through the first series.
Tanner Roach is the team leader in hits so far, and is batting .467 with nine total bases through those first four contests.
Through the first weekend of games, UT Tyler ranks first in the LSC in double plays and double plays per game. As a team, the Patriots are batting .286 as a team, good enough for third in the LSC and 11 in all of Division II.
SERIES HISTORY
UT Tyler holds a 3-0 series lead on the Dustdevils all time, with the most recent game being a 13-3 victory for the Patriots. These two teams have met for just one weekend slate prior to this weekend's matchup. Those contests came Feb. 12-13 down in Laredo, Texas. This weekend's games will be the first time Texas A&M International has made the trek to Tyler in program history.
THE SCOUTING REPORT
The Dustdevils currently hold a 3-1 record after taking the first series of the season over UT Permian Basin. Texas A&M International is first in the LSC in earned run average and first in on base percentage amongst the LSC.
Matt Kissamis is leading the Dustdevils so far at the plate. Kissamis was named LSC and South Central Region hitter of the wee after a 7-for-12 performance with five RBI's and 13 total bases. Jan Cabrera had a standout game on the mound this past weekend. He pitched five innings, gave up just one hit and had seven strikeouts in the win.
Coaching Texas A&M International is Phillip Middleton. Middleton holds a career record of 12-27 and is in his second season as head coach. Previously, he was an assistant coach at LSC foe Texas A&M-Kingsville for the previous seven seasons.
LONE STAR CONFERENCE UPDATE
Through the first weekend of games three teams are tied atop the conference standings at 3-1. Oklahoma Christian, St. Edward's and Texas A&M International came away with victories in their opening series'.
Six teams are at 2-2 on the year thus far. UT Tyler, Cameron, Lubbock Christian, Texas A&M-Kingsville, UAFS, and Angelo State each split their opening series'.
ON THE HORIZON
Following the home series against the Dustdevils, the Patriots will go on the road to take on Texas A&M-Kingsville for a four game series beginning with a 2 p.m. first pitch on Feb. 18. That contest will be followed by a doubleheader on Feb. 19, and then a 1 p.m. start for the final game on Feb. 20.
