TYLER, TEXAS – The University of Texas at Tyler Baseball program will look to keep the momentum going after a 3-1 series victory over Texas A&M International as they head south to face off against Texas A&M-Kingsville.
The weekend series will begin with a 2 p.m. contest against the Javelinas on Friday. Following game one, games two and three will each be seven innings in a doubleheader that is set to start at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The series will conclude on Sunday with a 1 p.m. start.
A STRONG START
UT Tyler Baseball holds a 5-3 record over the first eight games after a 2-2 series split with then #5 Angelo State and a 3-1 series victory over Texas A&M-International. The Patriots are second in the LSC in team ERA (3.90) and team fielding percentage (.972), and third in team batting average (.304) after the first two weekends of games. Three different Patriots hitters are in the top 25 in the LSC for batting average, and two Patriots pitchers are in the top 10 of ERA.
SERIES HISTORY
The Patriots and Javelinas have faced off just three times in their series history. All three of those contests came last season over April 1-3, 2021. In that series, UT Tyler won two out of the three games with the only loss being a 1-0 game on April 2. This year's series marks the first time the Patriots have traveled to Kingsville, Texas to play baseball.
THE SCOUTING REPORT
Through their first 10 games, Texas A&M-Kingsville is second in the LSC in batting average at .332, but sit at eighth in team ERA with an earned run average of 6.06. The Javelinas have just one hitter inside the top 25 in the LSC in batting average and just one pitcher inside the top 20 in ERA.
Leading the Javelinas on offense has been Shelby Becker. Becker is batting .520 on 25 plate appearances with 11 runs scored, four doubles, and four RBI's. He has walked three times so far and has an on-base percentage of .600.
Colton Taylor leads the Javelinas arms with a 0.00 ERA in eight innings pitched. He has collected one save in four appearances and has 12 strikeouts to go along with just three hits and four walks.
Jason Gonzales is the head coach for Texas A&M-Kingsville and has been since August 1, 2008. Gonzales most notably led the Javelinas to their first trip to the College World Series in the 2018 season. He currently holds a career record of 389-262 and is in the midst of his 14
th season overall.
LONE STAR CONFERENCE UPDATE
#5 West Texas A&M holds the top spot in the LSC standings as they sit at 4-0 in conference play and 6-0 overall. They are followed by #12 Angelo State and Lubbock Christian who each have a 6-2 record through two LSC series. UT Tyler, Texas A&M-Kingsville, and St. Edward's each hold records of 5-3 and are tied for the fourth spot. Right behind those teams are Cameron and Texas A&M-International who each hold records of 4-4.
WHAT'S ON TAP
Following the four game set against the Javelinas, the Patriots will return home to Irwin Field at the UT Tyler Ballpark to host St. Edward's. The first game against the Hilltoppers is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, February 25. That contest will be followed by a doubleheader on February 26 that is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. The series will conclude with a 1 p.m. contest on Sunday, February 27.
