TYLER, TEXAS – Strong pitching was the story of the day for UT Tyler as they took down #25 Lubbock Christian in game one of the final four game series of the season.
 
Dylan Blomquist was the man with the ball to start the contest but ran into a rough patch to begin the game. On the first pitch of the game Angelo State doubled to left field and then just a few pitches later connected on another double down the left field line to go up 1-0.
 
After a walk to put two runners on, Blomquist settled in with a pair of flyouts and a strikeout to get out of the inning with just the one run.
 
Quick offense is always a big key for head coach Brent Porche, and the Patriots did just that for their manager. Carson Cox and Tommy van de Sanden each singled through the left side to begin the game. Kyle McShaffry reached the plate and chopped a pitch to second base that was mishandled, allowing Cox to score.
 
After McShaffry was caught stealing and Ethan Bedgood reached on a walk, Tanner Roach stepped up clutch with two outs with another single through the left side to give UT Tyler the lead.
 
After the eventful first inning, both pitchers stepped into a groove until the bottom of the fifth. Over those three and a half innings, both teams combined for just one hit. Blomquist looked dominant on the mound, recording eight strikeouts during the stretch, including four in a row.
 
That brought the 2-1 score to the bottom half of the fifth, where the Patriots looked to produce more run support for their starter. After a leadoff strikeout, Cox walked his way aboard, and then stole second to go into scoring position. A flyout put two outs on the board for McShaffry, who came up clutch again with a single to center field to make it 3-1.
 
After another inning facing the minimum for Blomquist in the sixth, the Patriots dug deep again on offense in the sixth and produced even more. After Lukas Polanco led off with a hit by pitch, Roach moved him to second with a sacrifice bunt. A wild pitch moved Polanco to third, but a popup in the infield made it two outs.
 
That brought Riley Lambert to the plate, who launched a double to right center field for an RBI. Kyle Hawkins followed him with a single, and moved to second on a wild pitch. Another walk for Cox put two men on, and both would come around to score from a single from van de Sanden and a pass ball to make it 7-1.
 
It was smooth sailing for Blomquist again in the seventh, retiring the side in order for the third consecutive inning. He made way for Mitchell Lee to close out the game over the final two innings. In his first inning of work, Lee struck out the first two batters he faced before forcing a lineout.
 
In the ninth inning, the Chaps looked to rally, but Lee was all business with a pair of groundouts. A walk gave #25 Lubbock Christian a glimmer of hope, but the third groundout of the inning sealed the deal for the Patriots.
 
A pair of Patriots had multiple hits as eight of the nine batters in the starting lineup reached base. Tommy van de Sanden led all hitters with a 3-for-5 night that included a run and an RBI.
 
On the mound, Dylan Blomquist gets the win to move to 8-1 on the season. He went seven innings while allowing just four hits and one earned run. He added in nine strikeouts to go along with just two walks.
 
In relief, Mitchell Lee pitched two innings while striking out two batters and walking just one.
 
Next up for UT Tyler will be a doubleheader on Saturday that will also double as Senior Day. The Patriots will recognize their eight seniors prior to game one with a ceremony on the field. Between the two contests, the Patriots will hold commencement for those that will be receiving their diplomas.
 
On Sunday, the series will come to a close with a 1 p.m. scheduled first pitch.