TYLER, TEXAS – The University of Texas at Tyler Baseball program will look to begin their 2022 season on a high note as they take on #5 Angelo State on the road this weekend.
 
A LOOK BACK
 
Last season the Patriots finished in fourth place in the LSC standings after playing the season with a 23-13 record in LSC play and a 25-15 record overall. That finish was well inside the range for making the LSC postseason tournament, but due to the transition from Division III to Division II, UT Tyler was ineligible to compete.
 
RETURNING PRODUCTION
 
UT Tyler will return a stable of production from last year's team. On the offensive side, Kyle McShaffry and Jordan Gochenour lead the notable returners. McShaffry was selected to all-LSC honorable mention while Gochenour was an all-LSC defensive team selection. Both players hit over .300 while starting all 40 games last season. The pair combined for 11 homers, 67 RBIs, 92 hits, and 148 total bases.
 
The pitchers will have a lot of experience returning as well, as five pitchers who appeared in at least 10 games will be returning for the 2022 season. Two of those returners will be a pair of relievers coming out of the bullpen. Nathan Holmes and A.J. Irvin each produced strong numbers last season while combining for 32 appearances. The two pitchers combined for 50.2 innings pitched, just 45 hits, 19 earned runs, and just 22 walks while serving up 50 strikeouts. Irvin returns as an all-LSC honorable mention selection.
 
HEAD COACH BRENT PORCHE
 
Coach Porche will enter into his sixth season as UT Tyler's head coach and it will be his 10^th season as a coach at the collegiate level. Under his leadership, the Patriots have a 43-16 record over LSC play in the last two seasons while completing their mandatory waiting period while transitioning to Division II.
 
Porche has collected numerous accolades throughout his tenure with the Patriots, most notably leading the program to winning the 2018 Division III National Championship. In that season, the Patriots set a new program record for wins in a season while Porche was named the West Region Coach of the year and the Division III National Coach of the Year.
 
Coach Porche has led Patriots players to 1 all-american selection, 13 all-region selections and 37 all-conference selections. At UT Tyler, Porche holds a record of 147-60 and holds a career record of 294-143 in his nine total seasons.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
The Rams hold a 2-1 series lead against the Patriots. All three of those games came last season as the 2020 season was cut short due to COVID-19. This will be the first road trip to San Angelo for UT Tyler as last year's contests were played at Irwin Field at the UT Tyler Ballpark.
 
THE SCOUTING REPORT
 
#5 Angelo State was voted as the preseason LSC favorites this season as they collected 27 first place votes. The Rams also collected the preseason player and pitcher of the year in Aaron Walters and Carson Childers.
 
Walters last season hit for a .410 average with 77 hits, nine home runs, 67 RBIs, and scored 52 runs. Childers last season ended the year with a 2.06 ERA and a 9-0 record over 28 appearances. Childers gave up 13 earned runs while striking out 67 hitters and walking just 18.
 
FOLLOWING THIS WEEKEND
 
After the series wraps up on Monday afternoon, the Patriots will return home to Tyler for a weekend series against Texas A&M International. That will be the first series at home inside Irwin Field at the UT Tyler Ballpark this season. The series is scheduled to begin Feb. 11 with a 7 p.m. first pitch. That will be followed by a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 3 p.m. and then the fourth and final contest on Sunday at 1 p.m.