AUSTIN, TEXAS – UT Tyler secured its third consecutive series victory in dominant fashion, defeating #15 St. Edward's 18-7 via the run rule. The Patriots showcased an explosive offensive performance, tallying 18 runs on 16 hits, including three home runs. They scored three or more runs in four of the eight innings and managed to put up at least one run in six different frames.
St. Edward's took an early lead in the bottom of the first after a solo home run, but the Patriots wasted no time responding. In the top of the second, following two early walks, Connor Clark launched a three-run blast over the left field fence, flipping the score in favor of UT Tyler, 3-1.
The following innings saw rapid scoring from both teams. The Hilltoppers trimmed the deficit to 3-2 in the bottom of the second, capitalizing on two singles, a walk, and a wild pitch. The Patriots quickly responded in the third, as Justin Williams doubled and Ethan Menard followed with an RBI double to make it 4-2. However, St. Edward's answered with a leadoff triple, a sacrifice fly, and another solo homer, tying the game at 4-4.
In the fourth, the Patriots seized control. After two singles and a walk, Williams stepped to the plate and crushed a towering grand slam to center field, doubling UT Tyler's score and giving them an 8-4 lead.
Jacob Hadden entered in relief in the fourth inning and dominated, striking out all three batters he faced. He continued his stellar performance in the fifth, retiring the Hilltoppers in order once again.
UT Tyler put the game out of reach in the next three innings. In the sixth, the Patriots loaded the bases with an error, a Williams single, and a walk. Drew Schmidt drew an RBI walk, followed by a sacrifice fly for another run. Clark then delivered a clutch two-run single, pushing the lead to 12-4.
St. Edward's managed a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth, marking the only run Hadden allowed in his outing. He finished with three innings pitched, striking out five batters while allowing just one run before handing the game back over to the bullpen.
The Patriots' power surge continued in the seventh. After a leadoff single, Kyle Atkinson belted the team's third home run of the game, extending the lead to 14-5. The Hilltoppers attempted to rally in the bottom half, scoring twice on a fielder's choice and a wild pitch, but that would be their final offensive production.
UT Tyler capped off its scoring in the eighth with three more runs. Schmidt led off with a triple, extending his hitting streak to every game this season. Bo Willis followed with an RBI single, and after a Clark single and a walk, the Patriots loaded the bases again. A walk, a sacrifice fly, and an Atkinson RBI single brought the final score to 18-7.
Nash Villegas closed out the game on the mound in the eighth, striking out the side to seal the run-rule victory.
Hadden earned his first win as a UT Tyler Patriot, improving to 1-0 with a 1.35 ERA in 6.2 innings pitched out of the bullpen.
Offensively, Atkinson had a strong showing, going 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored, three RBIs, and his third home run of the year. Williams had a stellar performance as well, finishing 4-for-5, crossing the plate three times, and driving in four runs. His second home run of the season now puts his batting average at .400 with 19 RBIs in 19 games played. Clark had a perfect night at the plate, going 4-for-4 which included a grand slam. He reached base in all five plate appearances and is now hitting .404 with 23 hits and 17 RBIs in 18 games.
With the series win, UT Tyler improves to 17-3. The Patriots will play their first non-conference game of the season against Southern Arkansas in Magnolia, Arkansas, on Tuesday at 4 p.m. From there they will return home to face West Texas A&M in a conference series starting March 7 at 6 p.m.
