Match Info	Opponent Info
Lubbock Christian Christian vs. UT Tyler LCU: 5-3, 5-3 LSC | UTT: 4-4, 4-4 LSC Friday, Feb. 16th | 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17th | 3 p.m. (DH) Sunday, Feb. 18th | 1 p.m. Irwin Field Tyler, Texas		ROSTER	SCHEDULE	STATS

LAST TIME OUT
 
UT Tyler picked up their second consecutive series split last weekend, battling it out with St. Mary's down in San Antonio. The two teams alternated wins, with the Patriots claiming the huge win on Sunday with an emphatic 17-8 win that saw 10 total extra base hits, including four home runs and five doubles. Three of those doubles and one of those home runs was by Lane Hutchinson, who finished the day 4-for-6 with six RBI and four runs scored.
 
REGIONALLY RANKED
 
In the first edition of the in-season NCBWA South Central Regional Rankings, the Patriots come in at number eight, down from their preseason ranking of third.
 
Leading that regional poll is Angelo State, and they are followed by Colorado Mesa and West Texas A&M to round out the top three of the poll.
 
This weekend's matchup will see the number eight Patriots face off with number seven Lubbock Christian.
 
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 now 39-16 inside Irwin Field.
• Head Coach Brent Porche enters his eighth season with UT Tyler and holds a record of 219-103 with the Patriots. He holds a career record of 366-186 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.
• For the Patriots offense, they are led so far by Lane Hutchinson, who is hitting .387 with six doubles and a home run while driving home 11 total runs and scoring eight. Right behind him is sophomore Kaston Mason, who has his average up to .321 with four doubles and three homers while picking up eight RBI and scoring nine runs.
• The pitching department sees the lefty arm of Dylan Blomquist leading the way. The opening night starter has compiled a 3.60 ERA over two starts and has a 1-0 record. He has thrown 10 total innings and allowed just four runs while striking out four hitters. Out of the bullpen, Nick Niebur has been the early leader, pitching to a 0.00 ERA on 5.1 innings pitched while striking out four and allowing just two hits. Joining him is Miles Clack, who has posted a 4.05 ERA and a 2-0 record out of the pen in 6.2 innings pitched.

 
CHAPS NOTES AND TRENDS
 

• Lubbock Christian heads into the series at a record of 5-3 overall and are coming off of a 3-1 series defeat to UT Permian Basin last weekend.
• The Chaps offense is hitting .361 on the season with 76 RBI, 13 home runs and 40 total extra base hits. Leading that offense is a trio of players hitting over .400, led by Jacob Gutierrez who is averaging .455. He has 15 hits, 11 RBI, and five extra base hits while getting on base at a .526 clip.
• The Chaps staff ERA stands at 8.16 over their eight games, and they are allowing their opponents to hit .293 on the season. Leading that staff from the starters is Andrew Duran, who holds a 6.10 ERA over 10.1 innings pitched and a 1-0 record. From the bullpen, Cadon Everett has been the most effective man, recording a 0.00 ERA over 4.2 innings pitching while allowing just two hits and posting seven strikeouts.
• Coaching the Chaps is Nathan Blackwood, who is in his 21^st season of his career, all with Lubbock Christian. He holds a career record of 762-354 all-time.
• In the series history between the two clubs, the Patriots hold the steady 10-6 advantage in a series that dates back to 2020. Just four of those games have come inside Irwin Field, and the Patriots lead that part of the series 3-1. Last season in Lubbock, the two teams split 2-2 before the Chaps took down the Patriots on a neutral field in San Angelo in the LSC Tournament.