THE 2024 CAMPAIGN
 
2024 saw the Patriots end the season at 29-23 overall, falling in the first round of the LSC Tournament. The program made their third consecutive LSC Tournament and also finished fifth overall in the LSC regular season standings. Eight players earned an All-LSC accolade last season, led by the LSC Pitcher of the Year in Rawley Hector. Hector was also named an ABCA/Rawlings and D2CCA Third Team All-American for his efforts on the season.
 
PRESEASON RANKS
 
The Patriots were selected as the #4 team in the LSC preseason poll, earning 386 points and one first place vote. Rawley Hector was also selected as the LSC Preseason Pitcher of the Year, the first member of the program to earn an LSC Preseason honor.
 
Additionally, the Patriots were selected as the #16 team in the ABCA Division II Preseason Coaches Poll. This is the highest ranking for the program in the poll since the preseason edition of the same poll in 2021 in which they were ranked #11.
 
PATRIOTS NOTES AND TRENDS

• UT Tyler finished the 2024 season 29-23 overall and 28-20 in LSC play on the way to finishing 5^th in the LSC and making their third consecutive LSC Tournament.
• The Patriots have defended their home ballpark in a big way over their first yeaers of Division II. Going back to their first season of Division II eligibility (2022), the Patriots are 67-34 inside Irwin Field prior to the 2025 season.
• Head Coach Brent Porche enters his ninth season with UT Tyler and holds a record of 246-124 with the Patriots. He holds a career record of 393-207 in his 12 total seasons.
• On March 10^th, 2024 with a 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 2024 season, with returning All-American Rawley Hector headlining a pitching staff that includes former All-American's Dylan Blomquist and Garrett Arredondo. Joining those pitchers will be several key bats including Blake LaBuda, Kyle Atkinson, Kaston Mason, and Connor Clark.
• Joining those returners will be a cast of highly touted newcomers. The Patriots brought in the #2 ranked JUCO class according to JBB, and also added the #34 transfer portal class according to 64 Analytics.

 
CHAPS NOTES AND TRENDS

• Lubbock Christian finished the 2024 campaign at 45-16 overall and 35-13 in LSC competition on their way to claiming the 2024 LSC Regular Season title.
• The Chaps were selected second in the LSC preseason poll, earning five first place votes and 457 total points, trailing only Angelo State.
• Brevin McCool was named an LSC Player to Watch and is a key returner to the Chaps offense. McCool was named a Second Team All-American by the NCBWA and D2CCA and also was the LSC Academic Player of the Year. McCool hit .377 last season with 41 extra base hits and 79 RBI to lead the program.
• Ryan Markwardt was named an LSC Pitcher to Watch after last season that saw him named a NCBWA Honorable Mention All-American. He finished 2024 with a 6.10 ERA over 82.2 innings pitched with 81 strikeouts and a 12-1 record.