Match Info	Opponent Info
Southern Arkansas at UT Tyler SAU: 26-16, 18-11 GAC | UTT: 26-18, 26-18 LSC Tuesday, Apr. 23 | 4 p.m. Irwin Field Tyler, Texas		ROSTER	SCHEDULE	STATS

LAST TIME OUT
 
The Patriots last played back on April 14, rounding out a four game series with UT Permian Basin. The Patriots took both ends of the doubleheader, splitting the series in dramatic fashion as Ethan Bedgood delivered a walk-off single to seal the 12-11 win.
 
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
 
Rawley Hector was nearly perfect on Friday nights win over the Falcons, as he went all seven innings in the run-rule win for the Patriots. He allowed just three hits on the day, struck out four, and walked just one batter. He carried a no-hitter through five and two thirds and allowed just one hitter to reach third base in the entire contest.
 
Those efforts earned him Lone Star Conference Pitcher of the Week, the first weekly award for the Patriots this year. It also earned him NCBWA Regional Pitcher of the Week, the first regional weekly award for the Patriots since April 4, 2023.
 
THE LSC RACE
 
Heading into the final week of LSC play, the Patriots are holding on to a one game lead over UT Permian Basin for the #4 seed in the LSC Tournament. The top four seeds will each host a best of three series in the opening round, with the four winners of those series moving on to the second weekend, double elimination bracket of the LSC Tournament.
 
West Texas A&M is the #1 seed currently, holding a one game advantage over Lubbock Christian. Angelo State sits at number three, just one game back of the Chaps and two of the Buffs. The Patriots are four games back of the Rams, and UT Permian Basin, Texas A&M International, UAFS, and St. Edward's currently make up the top eight teams.
 
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 52-23 inside Irwin Field.
• Head Coach Brent Porche enters his eighth season with UT Tyler and holds a record of 241-117 with the Patriots. He holds a career record of 388-200 in his 11 total seasons.
• With the March 10th win over Texas A&M-Kingsville, Coach Porche became the all-time winningest coach in UT Tyler Baseball history, surpassing James Vilade for the top spot.
• The Patriots will return several key contributors from 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 by the hot bat of Nathan Carriere, who is hitting .437 on the year and slugging .738 since returning as a starter. He has 45 hits, 18 of which have gone for extra bases.
• The Patriots pitching staff is led by Rawley Hector, who boasts a 3.28 ERA over 60.1 innings pitched. He has allowed just 22 earned runs while striking out 51 hitters. Opponents are hitting just .248 on the year against Hector.

 
MULERIDERS NOTES AND TRENDS
 

• Southern Arkansas is currently 26-16 on the season and 18-11 in GAC play. The Muleriders have won their last two contests but have had two of their last four cancelled due to weather.
• As a team, they are hitting .287, but have five hitters hitting over .300. Trace Shoup leads the way, hitting .352 on the year with 22 extra base hits and 31 RBI.
• On the pitching side, the Muleriders have a staff ERA of 4.47, led by Tim Ruffino who holds a 3.42 ERA. He has thrown 47.1 innings on the season and boasts a 34/7 strikeout to walk ratio while holding hitters to a .262 average.