UT Tyler vs. #25 West Texas A&M UTT: 17-11, 17-11 LSC | SEU: 19-7, 17-7 LSC Saturday Mar. 25 - Monday Mar. 27 Tyler, Texas | Irwin Field

SCHEDULE

ROSTER

STATS

LAST WEEKEND'S ACTION
 
The Patriots suffered their first series defeat of the season last weekend as they dropped three of four games to #12 St. Edward's. In game one, the Hilltoppers used some late offense to take the win, but the Patriots bounced back in game two with their own late offense to even the series. In game three, the Hilltoppers used an offensive explosion to run away with the game, and in the series finale it was a five run fifth inning from the Hilltoppers that provided the narrow difference.
 
AN END IN SIGHT?
 
The Patriots will face off with the #25 ranked Buffs this weekend, and that series will mark the fifth team in the top six of the LSC standings that the Patriots will have faced this season. Their remaining schedule includes the current #7 team, #13, #11, and #12 teams in the LSC standings.
 
The combined LSC records of those teams that the Patriots have already faced is 98-76, and four of those teams hold a winning record thus far. The combined records of the teams that the Patriots have yet to play is 47-80, and only one of those teams holds a winning record as we currently stand.
 
REGIONALLY RANKED
 
As of the latest NCBWA South Central Region Rankings, the Patriots are in the seventh spot after slipping one spot in this week's poll. Angelo State continues their hold on the top spot, and are followed by St. Edward's, Colorado Mesa, West Texas A&M, and MSU Denver in the top five.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
UT Tyler and #25 West Texas A&M have squared off eight times in their history, and they have battled to an even 4-4 split. It's tough to split the two teams in their matchups, as each team is 2-2 on their home turf. Each team has scored exactly 56 runs against each other, and the longest winning streak for either team is two games.
 
Last season, the two teams played in Canyon, Texas, with the Patriots taking the opening game. The two teams split the doubleheader on Saturday, and West Texas A&M took Sunday's finale and forced the series split.
 
THE SCOUTING REPORT
 
The #25 Buffs are 19-7 on the season and 17-7 in LSC play thus far. They have dropped just one series on the season, a 3-1 defeat to Texas A&M-Kingsville in the second weekend of the year. They have won 12 of their last 14 games, including winning three of four against UT Permian Basin and sweeping Cameron.
 
The Buffs are led at the plate by 2022 LSC Player of the Year Adam Becker. Becker is hitting .482 on the year with an OPS of 1.428. he is slugging .893 with 13 doubles and 11 home runs while posting 46 RBI and 100 total bases.
 
On the mound, it is Nick Marshall leading the charge. Marshall has a team leading ERA of 2.97 in seven appearances. He holds a 5-0 record with 39.1 innings pitched and has allowed just 13 runs on 14 walks and 39 strikeouts.
 
At the helm of the program is Matt Vanderburg and he is in the midst of his 15^th season. He has led the program to eight straight NCAA South Central Regional Tournament appearances and has three LSC regular season championships along with three LSC tournament championships.
 
NEXT UP
 
Following this weekend's series against #25 West Texas A&M, the Patriots will pack their bags for the long road trip to Portales, New Mexico to take on Eastern New Mexico.
 
That four game set against the Greyhounds is set to start at 3 p.m. CST on March 31^st and will conclude on Sunday, April 2^nd at 2 p.m. CST.