UT Tyler vs. #12 St. Edward's UTT: 16-8, 13-7 LSC | SEU: 21-11, 15-7 LSC Friday Mar. 17 - Sunday Mar. 19 Austin, Texas | Lucian-Hamilton Field

SCHEDULE

ROSTER

STATS

LAST WEEKEND
 
The Patriots got the chance to return home last weekend to Irwin Field and take on Texas A&M-Kingsville on their home turf. In game one of the series, it was a late run that broke the tie for the Patriots on their way to a win. The Javelinas bounced back in game one of the doubleheader on Saturday, but the Patriots bats exploded in game two for 15 runs and a win before taking a 4-1 battle on Sunday and a 3-1 series win.
 
TOUGH SLEDDING
 
The Patriots take on #12 St. Edward's this weekend, and return home next weekend to host RV West Texas A&M. Following the series against the Buffs, the Patriots will have played each top six team in the Lone Star Conference. Against those teams currently, UT Tyler is at a record of 7-5 with a pair of series splits and a 3-1 series win over the Javelinas.
 
A LOOK BACK
 
In last year's matchup with the Hilltoppers at Irwin Field, The two teams battled to a series split with each team alternating wins. The Hilltoppers took game one by a score of 6-4, before the Patriots responded with a 5-4 win. The second game of the doubleheader fell the Hilltoppers way, but the Patriots wrapped up the series with a big 8-1 win.
 
The two teams met again in the second weekend of the Lone Star Conference tournament, but the Hilltoppers would get the last laugh of the season as they ended the Patriots tournament title hopes.
 
REGIONALLY RANKED
 
UT Tyler remains inside the top six of the NCBWA South Central Regional Rankings this week as they fall one spot from five to six this week. Joining the Patriots in the top five is Angelo State, St. Edward's, Colorado Mesa, West Texas A&M, and MSU Denver.
 
THE SCOUTING REPORT
 
The Hilltoppers roll into this weekend's matchup with the seventh ranked offense in the LSC at a team average of .295, and the second best team ERA at 4.47. The program is leading the conference in home runs, and has the fifth most runs scored and fourth best slugging percentage. On the pitching side, the Hilltoppers are leading in saves, have given up the second fewest hits and runs, and have allowed the fewest total walks.
 
Leading the way on that offensive staff is Connor Cox, who is fourth in the LSC in batting average at .429. He has five home runs and 26 RBI to go along with a slugging percentage of .821 and an OPS of 1.364.
 
Luke Short leads the pitching staff for the Hilltoppers and is fifth in the LSC in ERA amongst starters at 2.57. He holds a perfect record of 4-0 over 35 innings pitched, and has allowed just 10 earned runs on 25 hits.
 
Leading #12 St. Edward's is head coach Bryan Faulds. Faulds is in his second season running the program after previously serving as pitching coach for the previous four seasons. Last season he led the team to a 32-25 record and earned a bid into the NCAA South Central Regional before falling just one game shy of making the NCAA Super Regionals.
 
NEXT UP
 
Next weekend will see RV West Texas A&M return to Irwin Field for just the second time in series history. The two teams have split their eight previous matchups at 4-4, with both series being 2-2 splits at each teams respective ballparks. That series is scheduled to start on March 24 at 7 p.m.