TYLER, TEXAS – After a gauntlet of a schedule through the first five weekends of the season, the Patriots will host Eastern New Mexico for a four game series as they look to climb up in the LSC standings and claim their second series victory of the year.
 
The Patriots were originally scheduled to play a non-conference game against Arkansas-Monticello earlier this week on March 8, but weather in the region forced a cancellation of the game.
 
TOUGH START
 
65-27 is the combined record of the five teams that UT Tyler has played so far this season. Two of those teams are in the top 25 (#2 West Texas A&M and #17 Angelo State) and another one of those teams is receiving votes (Texas A&M-Kingsville). Four of those teams make up the top four teams in the LSC standings, and the other program is tied with UT Tyler for sixth place at 10-10 in LSC play.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
The Patriots and the Greyhounds have met seven total times, and the Patriots hold a 6-1 record in those contests. All seven previous contests have been contested in Tyler, and this series will be no different.  Most recently the two teams met on March 12-13, 2021 with UT Tyler taking two of the three games in the series.
 
THE SCOUTING REPORT
 
Eastern New Mexico ranks in the top five in the LSC in multiple categories this season. They are fourth in complete games, fifth in double plays, first in triples, and fifth in stolen bases.
 
Leading the Greyhounds on offense is Cooper Hamilton. Hamilton ranks 24^th in the LSC in batting average at .340. He has started all 16 games this season and has produced 16 hits in 47 at-bats. He has seven extra base hits including four triples, which ranks sixth in all of Division II. He also has 13 walks to go along with 17 strikeouts on the season.
 
Dalton Thatcher is the leading man on the pitching staff for Eastern New Mexico. Thatcher ranks as the 16^th best ERA in the LSC at 4.91. He has thrown for 18.1 innings this season in five appearances and two starts. Over those 18.1 innings, Thatcher has given up 26 hits and 10 earned runs while striking out ten and walking just five hitters.
 
Coaching the Greyhounds is Riley Price. Price is in his third season at Eastern New Mexico and currently holds a record of 16-60. Before taking the head coaching position with the Greyhounds, Price was an assistant coach at Minot State, Angelo State, Baker, and Washburn.
 
LONE STAR CONFERENCE UPDATE
 
Through the first five weekends of the season, West Texas A&M continues to hold the top spot in the LSC standings. They are no longer undefeated after the Patriots split last weekend's series with the Buffs, but still hold the number one position at 14-2. Angelo State comes in just behind at 15-5 and they are followed by Texas A&M-Kingsville at 12-4. St. Edward's and Lubbock Christian round out the top five at 14-6 and 11-5 respectively.
 
ON THE HORIZON
 
Following the series with the Greyhounds this weekend, the Patriots will take on Cameron on the road in Lawton, Oklahoma. That series is scheduled to begin on Friday, March 18 at 2 p.m. Following the first game on Friday, the two teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. Finally, on Sunday, March 20, the Aggies and Patriots will wrap up their series with a 1 p.m. contest.