UT Tyler vs. Oklahoma Christian UTT: 0-0, 0-0 LSC | OC: 0-0, 0-0 LSC Saturday Feb. 4 - Monday Feb. 6 Oklahoma City, Okla. | Dobson Field

Schedule

Roster

Stats

SEASON RECAP
 
2022 was full of new experiences for UT Tyler. They got to play their first full official season as a Division II member, and therefore were able to compete in the postseason for the first time. They took that chance and turned it into the program's first ever appearance in the Lone Star Conference tournament, and pushed that envelope even further by being one of the last four teams remaining and barely missing out on the NCAA Tournament.
 
The Patriots went 31-22 on the season and held a record of 29-19 in conference play. They also went 7-5 on the season against teams ranked inside the top 25 nationally and produced a pair of All-South Central Region selections in Dylan Blomquist and A.J. Irvin.
 
PRESEASON POLLS
 
UT Tyler was picked sixth overall in the LSC Baseball Preseason Poll that was released on January 23^rd. The Patriots were ranked behind Angelo State, West Texas A&M, Texas A&M-Kingsville, Lubbock Christian, and St. Edward's. In the NCBWA Preseason South Central Regional Poll, the Patriots were picked eighth, behind the five teams mentioned plus Colorado Mesa and MSU Denver.
 
WHAT COACH PORCHE HAS TO SAY
 
On what the team learned from last season: "I think that the biggest thing that we learned is that postseason baseball is a different atmosphere and feel. For those guys that have returned and haven't had the chance to experience postseason baseball I thought it was really important. As a coaching staff we learned how offensive this league is and what we need our roster to look like to compete at a high level."
 
On the mindset of the team on the early season games: "That's something we've emphasized all fall with these guys. It's not like your typical college baseball schedule where you get three or four weeks to kind of figure out where you're at. Our guys have to be prepared and we have to be prepared. All you can do is try to be prepared as much as you possibly can."
 
On replacing the leadership lost from last season: "We lost some big leaders from last season and the new seniors find themselves in new roles. It kind of started at the end of last year, those seniors now came into end of season meetings not happy about how the season ended. Those guys have been preparing for this leadership role since last season. From a leadership role I think we are at a better position right now than we were last year and that is a testament to those guys."
 
THE SCOUTING REPORT
 
The Patriots and the Eagles will square off to open the season in what will be their 12-15^th meetings overall. The Patriots hold a slim 6-5 advantage in those games, are 3-1 on their home field, and sit at 3-4 in games played at Oklahoma Christian.
 
Last season saw the Eagles have the 11^th place team batting average in the LSC but held the fifth best ERA. Coming back to lead the Eagles on the individual hitting side is one of the best hitters in the conference in Michael DiFiore. DiFiore hit .312 last season with 23 extra base hits and 25 RBI while posting an OPS of 1.028. On the pitching side, one of their top pitchers will return in Will Rodman, who posted an ERA of 5.65 in 13 appearances while throwing 63.2 innings and striking out 40 batters while giving up just 16 walks.
 
Head coach Lonny Cobble will head into his 11^th season at the helm and has posted a record of 261-215-1 in his tenure. Cobble has enjoyed strong success, winning three NCCAA Central Region titles and has now posted back-to-back LSC tournament qualifying seasons.
 
NEXT UP
 
Following the weekend trip to Oklahoma City, the Patriots get the chance to return home to Irwin Field at the UT Tyler Ballpark, where they open the home portion of their schedule against St. Mary's on February 10^th at 7 p.m. February 11^th will see a seven inning doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m., and the series wll conclude on February 12^th with a 1 p.m. first pitch.