TYLER, TEXAS – The UT Tyler bats got hot at the right moment in game two as the Patriots shut out #25 Lubbock Christian by a score of 8-0 after the Chaps took game one by a score of 4-1.
 
GAME ONE
 
Prior to the first game of the day, the Patriots took the time to recognize eight seniors for their dedication to the program and celebrating their accomplishments. Among those honored were Cade Watson, Tommy Tolve, Josh Garza, Lukas Polanco, Tanner Roach, Erik Owen, Mitchell Lee, and Kyle McShaffry.
 
For the second consecutive game, the Chaps were the team to strike first, jumping out to a quick 3-0 lead in the top of the first. Hayden Collins got the ball to start the contest, and the Chaps went to work. After a leadoff groundout followed by a walk, a single and another walk loaded the bases. Another single scored the first run, and that was followed by another single that drove home two more before Collings ended the inning with a strikeout and a flyout.
 
Ethan Coombes took the mound for #25 Lubbock Christian and got off to a strong start. He worked around a single in the first for a scoreless inning, and then struck out the side in the second.
 
The top of the second saw the Chaps connect on their fourth run of the game. After a leadoff groundout, the next two hitters reached on a walk and a double. A sacrifice fly drove in a run and made it 4-1.
 
In the third inning, the Patriots strung together some small ball to get themselves on the board. Riley Lambert led off with a walk and moved to second on a bunt single from Kyle Hawkins. Carson Cox followed with a sacrifice bunt to move the runners into scoring position, and Tommy van de Sanden lifted a fly ball out to left field for a sacrifice fly and the first run of the game.
 
Harrison Lee took over for Collins in the top of the third, and used the pitcher's best friend double play to work his way around a trio of walks and a pair of singles in three consecutive innings. In the third, he issued a walk and a single before getting the ground ball double play. In the fourth, he issued another single and a walk before getting a 5-4-3 double play. In the fifth, Lee walked the first batter before getting another double play and ending the inning with a strikeout.
 
The sixth inning presented one of the biggest opportunities for the Patriots to dig back into the game. After a strikeout and a groundout, Ethan Bedgood roped a single into left field before Dylan Blomquist ripped a double to deep center field to put two runners on with two outs. However, the next hitter popped out to shortstop to end the threat.
 
In the seventh inning, the Patriots went down in order and #25 Lubbock Christian took the contest 4-1.
 
Ethan Coombes went seven full innings while allowing just one run to get the win. Hayden Collins dropped to 1-2 on the season after going two innings and giving up four runs.
 
In relief, Harrison Lee went five strong innings, working around three hits and three walks with three big double plays and one strikeout.
 
GAME TWO
 
Prior to game two, the Patriots took the time to recognize those seniors who were receiving their diplomas. Those who graduated included Nolan Cox, Riley Lambert, Kyle Hawkins, Kyle McShaffry, Lukas Polanco, Tanner Roach, and Hayden Collins.
 
Game two began different than any previous game in the series between the two programs. Nolan Cox got the ball to begin the game, and worked around a single and a reached on an error to hold the Chaps scoreless through one for the first time in the series.
 
The bats for UT Tyler saw the work Cox did on the mound and went right to work with some big help. Carson Cox led off with a single and moved to second on a pass ball. Van de Sanden moved him to third with a single, and McShaffry drove in Cox with a single.
 
Bedgood followed with another single to score van de Sanden and the score was 2-0. That brought up Dylan Blomquist in the DH spot, and he smoked a double off the center field wall to drive in another run and make it 3-0 and drive the Chaps starter from the game.
 
In the bottom of the second, the Patriots jumped right back on the Chaps with two more runs to make it 5-0 after just two innings. After Cox and van de Sanden each walked and moved to scoring position on a wild pitch, Bedgood stepped in and delivered a two RBI single to left field for his third RBI in just two innings.
 
After Cox worked another strong inning, the Patriots came back up to bat looking to put more runs on the board. Cade Watson answered the call with a bunt single, before moving to third on a passed ball and a wild pitch. On the wild pitch, the throw to third bounced into left field and he was able to score.
 
Lambert followed up with a walk of his own, and moved to second on a groundout and then to third on a steal. However, that is when lightning struck near the facility, and the teams entered into what would become a three hour and forty minute rain delay in the bottom of the third.
 
After the big delay, Cox stepped into the box and promptly singled to left field to score Lambert. He stole second, and then scored on a van de Sanden single up the middle to make it 8-0 after just three innings.
 
Nick Oslovar came on to pitch for Nolan Cox after the big delay, and he went to work to keep the momentum rolling. After a single and an error, Oslovar induced a fielder's choice and a strikeout to get out of the jam.
 
In the fifth, Oslovar worked a 1-2-3 inning to keep the score intact. That brought in Josh Garza for the sixth inning, and he struck out the side around a single to keep the Chaps at bay.
 
In the seventh inning, the Patriots just had to get it home as they had done all the big work in the early part of the game. Easton Malin came on in relief of Garza and looked to keep the shutout intact.
 
Malin did just that, striking out the side to work a 1-2-3 inning and earn an 8-0 win for UT Tyler.
 
Four Patriots earned multi-hit games, led by a 2-for-3 night from Bedgood that included three RBI's. Carson Cox also went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and an RBI.
 
Nolan Cox got the start and went three innings while allowing just three hits and striking out one hitter. Cox left the game after the big delay, and the combination of Nick Oslovar, Josh Garza, and Easton Malin combined for four innings and seven strikeouts while allowing no hits to keep the shutout intact.
 
Tomorrow's contest will be the final contest at Irwin Field of the season for UT Tyler baseball. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. and the Patriots will have a chance to collect a series win over #25 Lubbock Christian.