TYLER, TEXAS – It was a close ballgame on Saturday in the series finale as the two teams combined for 15 hits and just three runs as both pitching staffs looked strong. However, Oklahoma Christian produced just enough offense to take home the win as the Patriots take the series 3-1.
Nolan Cox got the nod on the mound for UT Tyler in the finale and did not disappoint. He worked around a leadoff single in the first inning to set the next three hitters down in a row and end any threat.
In the second inning, Cox had to work himself out of a jam. After a leadoff walk and an error to put runners on first and second, Cox induced a flyout and a fielder's choice to put two outs on the board. After a single to shortstop, the Eagles had the bases loaded and threatened to score. However, Cox got the final out of the inning on a flyout to center and ended the inning.
It took five batters for a Patriots player to reach base against Eagles starter Isaiah Alvarenga.
Dylan Blomquist and
Carson Cox each singled to right field to put a pair of runners on base, but the Patriots could not score a run.
In the third and fourth innings, both teams went three up and three down while mustering just one hit that was erased by a ground ball double play. That brought the Eagles up in the fifth inning, and they jumped on a curveball on the first pitch and looped a home run down the left field line for the first run of the game.
After two more flyouts, Cox hit his first batter of the game and then gave up a single to put two runners on. The next hitter for Oklahoma Christian hit a tapper down the first base line but Cox threw it wide of first base and it allowed a runner to score to make it 2-0.
After going three up, three down for a third consecutive inning in the fifth, the Patriots finally got it going on offense in the sixth.
Lukas Polanco came in as a pinch hitter and led off with a walk.
Hayden Clearman tried to advance him to second but was unsuccessful and reached on a fielder's choice. After a flyout,
Kyle McShaffry stepped to the plate in a big spot, and delivered a rocket to right center field for an RBI double and made it 2-1.
Hayden Collins came in to relieve Cox in the middle of the sixth, and in the seventh, worked himself out of a jam after giving up a leadoff single by inducing a strikeout, a popout, and a flyout to end the inning. In the eighth, he was solid again, striking out two hitters and getting a ground ball to first base. In the ninth, he did it again, erasing a leadoff single with a double play and then getting a groundout to himself to end the inning.
In the bottom of the ninth needing a rally, McShaffry added his second hit of the game with a base hit to right field.
Ethan Bedgood stepped up and drove another single to right field to put two on with nobody out. However that is as far as anyone would go as the next two hitters struck out and then a popout ended the game.
Nolan Cox went 5.2 innings while allowing just six hits and two runs. He also struck out six hitters and registered just one walk. In relief, Hayden Collens went 3.1 innings while giving up only two hits and striking out four.
Kyle McShaffry and
Dylan Blomquist each recorded 2-for-4 performances on the day. McShaffry had the lone RBI in the ballgame with his double in the sixth inning.
Up next for UT Tyler will be a single game on Tuesday afternoon against Arkansas-Monticello. That will be the only non-conference game of the season for the Patriots. Following the midweek contest, the Patriots will make the road trip down to San Antonio, Texas to take on St. Mary's from April 22-24 in a four game series.
