TYLER, TEXAS – The UT Tyler baseball program returns from their bye week last weekend to take on UAFS in an LSC series that is due to begin on April 8 at 3 p.m. This will be the ninth series of the year for the Patriots and there will be just three remaining following the conclusion of the contests against the Lions.
 
THE SEASON SO FAR
 
The bye week came at a clutch time for the Patriots as they had played a mountain of contests without any time off. The program sits at 18-14 on the year after playing one of the hardest schedules in the conference thus far and are fifth in the LSC standings. The Patriots have played three of the four teams ranked ahead of them and have also played the two teams that are directly behind them.
 
ON THE HOME STRETCH
 
UT Tyler has just four series remaining on their schedule and three of those will come against teams that are lower than them on the LSC standings. The Patriots have a big opportunity to make up some ground as each of the top four teams still have at least one series to play against the other top ranked teams.
 
STRONG STATS
 
UT Tyler has battled through a tough schedule so far and have come out on the other side with some strong positioning amongst their LSC competition in terms of statistics. The Patriots are fourth overall in batting average at .305 over the 32 games that they have played. The team is tied for third in doubles on the year and rank fifth in on-base percentage.
 
On the pitching side, the Patriots are ranked third in team ERA at 5.07. The staff has been strong all season long, giving up just 260 hits on the year which is tied for the lowest in the LSC. Additionally, UT Tyler pitchers have given up the third fewest runs, second fewest earned runs, and the fewest walks in the LSC.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
The Patriots and Lions have faced off six times in their program's histories. The Patriots hold a 5-1 advantage all time. Last season, the two teams squared off in a three game series in Tyler that saw the Patriots come away with a sweep. In 2020, the two teams squared off in another three game series in Fort Smith, Arkansas with the Patriots coming away with two wins, and their only loss coming in a 13 inning affair.
 
THE SCOUTING REPORT
 
UAFS comes into the matchup ranked 10^th in batting average at .269 on the year. Their pitching staff comes in at 12^th in the LSC at 8.62 so far. The Lions so far are fifth in walks, sixth in sacrifice bunts, and seventh in sacrifice flies this year amongst LSC competition.
 
Leading the way for the Lions on the hitting side is Kinner Brasher. Brasher is ranked 34^th in the LSC in batting average at .329. He has five extra base hits to go along with just 23 strikeouts and 10 walks.
 
For the pitching staff, Dylan Rollins ranks 24^th in the LSC among starting pitchers in ERA at 6.09. He has pitched 34 innings this season and holds a record of 2-3 in the games he has pitched. He has given up 35 hits and 23 earned runs while allowing 24 walks and striking out 25 hitters.
 
Todd Holland is in his eighth year of coaching UAFS and holds a record of 185-150 during his tenure there. In 2018, Holland led the Lions to a 32-19 record and a runner up finish in the Heartland Conference. Before taking the reins at UAFS, Holland spent 11 seasons at fellow LSC competitor Cameron, where he amassed a 303-253 record.
 
ON THE HORIZON
 
Following this weekend's series against UAFS, the Patriots will return home to Irwin Field at the UT Tyler Ballpark for a four game set against Oklahoma Christian. That series will take place April 14-16 as the LSC will take a Sunday break for Easter on the 17^th. Game one of the series will be on April 14 at 7 p.m. April 15 will see a doubleheader and will also double as UT Health East Texas Day for the Patriots. On Saturday, the Patriots will play at 1 p.m. and that game will also double as Military Appreciation Day and all active duty military, veterans and retired military personnel will receive free admission.