Match Info	Opponent Info
Oklahoma Christian vs. #19 UT Tyler OC: 0-0, 0-0 LSC | UTT: 0-0, 0-0 LSC Thursday, Feb. 1st | 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2nd | 1 p.m. (DH) Saturday, Feb. 3rd | 1 p.m. Irwin Field Tyler, Texas		ROSTER	SCHEDULE	STATS

THE 2023 SEASON
 
Last year, UT Tyler completed their best season of Division II baseball yet, qualifying for the NCAA Tournament and pushing eventual national champion Angelo State to a winner-take-all regional contest that saw the Patriots finish just short.
 
The Patriots finished the year 39-19, with a 34-14 record in LSC play. That record gave them the number three spot in the LSC, just behind St. Edward's at 34-13 and Angelo State at 40-8.
 
In the LSC Tournament, the Patriots swept Texas A&M-Kingsville in opening round action at Irwin Field, before being bounced in the second weekend by St. Edward's and Lubbock Christian.
 
The Patriots found their way into the NCAA Tournament field with their strong resume, and wasted no time in proving why they belonged with a 17-4 win over MSU Denver. The Patriots then took a loss to Angelo State, befor bouncing back with a 4-3 dramatic win on Saturday night to force a final contest on Sunday. In that game, the Patriots held a late lead, but Angelo State pulled off the late comeback to steal away the win and finish the Patriots season.
 
Three different Patriots earned All-American status, marking the first time in the programs storied history that more than one player earned that mark in a single season. Reliever Garrett Arredondo led the way, as he was named First Team by both the ABCA/Rawlings and D2CCA publications and Second Team by the NCBWA. Jordan Gochenour and Dylan Blomquist also garnered All-American nods by the D2CCA.
 
NATIONAL ATTENTION
 
At the end of last season, the Patriots finished off the year Receiving Votes in the NCBWA Top 25 poll. This season, they launch themselves into the Top 25 as they are ranked #19 in the preseason edition of the poll. This is the highest ranking for the Patriots since March 11, 2021, in which they were ranked #17.
 
The Patriots were also ranked as the #3 team in the South Central Region poll by the NCBWA, and were picked #2 in the Lone Star Conference Preseason Poll.
 
WHAT COACH PORCHE IS SAYING
 
On the 2023 season: "I thought it was a really good year and a step in the right direction for our program. Obviously we still have a lot of work to do to show that consistency and kind of take that next step. We feel good going into this year.
 
On taking the next step: "We're going to be offensive again like we were last year. I feel confident in 1-15 and that will force me to make some tough decisions. We're deeper on the pitching staff, and we really feel good about our starting pitching on the weekend. We also feel really good about our bullpen, and just the depth. We have some young guys that will really make a difference.
 
On the opening weekend against the Eagles: "We have to pitch it well and keep our starters pitch counts down. We want to keep those bullpen guys down as well. Knowing who we are offensively, I feel confident in those guys. Getting off to a fast start is important, looking at last year on opening weekend we got off to a slow start. Oklahoma Christian has a new team, and preparing for those guys will be tough. We just have to play well and stay level. If we do those things, that will give us a chance to win four games this weekend."
 
PATRIOTS NOTES AND TRENDS
 

• UT Tyler finished the 2023 season 39-19 overall and 34-14 in LSC play on the way to finishing 3^rd in the LSC and making the NCAA Tournament for the first time in the Division II era.
• The Patriots defended Irwin Field in huge way last season, going 22-5 in games at home. Going back to their first season of Division II eligibility (2022), the Patriots are 37-14 inside Irwin Field.
• Head Coach Brent Porche enters his eighth season with UT Tyler and holds a record of 217-101 with the Patriots. He holds a career record of 364-184 in his 11 total seasons.
• The Patriots will return several key contributors to the 2023 season, including All-Americans Garrett Arredondo and Dylan Blomquist, as well as All-Region nods Lane Hutchinson and Austin Ochoa. LSC Freshman of the Year Kaston Mason makes his return, as well as All-LSC nods Ethan Bedgood and Miles Clack.
• In 2023, UT Tyler posted one of the best offenses in the country, ranking in the top 10 in Division II in batting average, scoring, doubles, total runs, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, doubles per game, and hits.
• Since joining the LSC in 2020, the Patriots are 8-6 in their opening series games, including splits of their last two series against Angelo State in 2022 and Oklahoma Christian and 2023.

 
EAGLES NOTES AND TRENDS
 

• Oklahoma Christian finished the 2023 season at a record of 13-37 overall and 13-35 in LSC play last season. On the road, the Eagles finished the year at 6-19.
• The Eagles were selected 11^th in the LSC Preseason Poll, and pitcher Naut Kragt and hitter Hunter Jones were selected as LSC Preseason Players to Watch.
• Just six starters will make their return from the 2023 season as the Eagles experienced a large turnover on their roster.
• As a team in 2023, the Eagles held the 11^th ranked LSC offense with a .277 average as a team. Their pitching staff also ranked 11^th with a 9.03 team ERA.
• Leading the program is head coach Lonny Cobble, who is heading into his 12^th season as a head coach, all with the Eagles. He holds a career record of 265-248 overall.