ODESSA, TEXAS – The UT Tyler Baseball program split a doubleheader with the UT Permian Basin Falcons on Saturday afternoon, delivering a dominant offensive performance in game one before falling in a tightly contested pitching duel in game two.
GAME ONE
The Patriots had a historic offensive showing in the first game, setting a program record with nine doubles in a single game. Eight different Patriots recorded multi-hit performances in their 21-run, 25-hit outing.
Brock Bearden started the game with a leadoff double and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Justin Williams followed with a triple into the gap to score Bearden. Williams then scored on an RBI groundout. After two singles, Tanner Hornback singled to left field, clearing the bases due to a fielding error and giving the Patriots a 5-0 lead. The Falcons responded with three runs in their half of the first, cutting the deficit to 5-3 after a combination of singles and a walk.
Bearden led off the second inning with a walk, stole second, and advanced to third on an error. Drew Schmidt doubled to bring him in, followed by an RBI single from Ethan Menard and a run-scoring double from Bryce Jewell. Later in the inning, Hornback doubled to drive in another run, extending the Patriots' lead to 9-3. They added another run in the third after a single, stolen base, and an error.
The Falcons scored again in the fourth, but the Patriots put the game out of reach in the fifth inning, erupting for 10 runs on 10 hits. Williams doubled in a run, Schmidt hit a sacrifice fly, and Menard, Jewell, and Hornback all contributed RBI hits. Ryan Walker also added a double, and Hammonds drove in a run with a single. Bearden and Kyle Atkinson followed with RBI singles before Schmidt capped off the inning with a two-run double, making it 20-4. An additional run in the sixth brought UT Tyler's total to 21.
UT Permian Basin added three runs in the bottom of the sixth, but the game ended with a decisive 21-7 victory for the Patriots.
The historic offensive performance included contributions from Bearden, Williams, Schmidt, Menard, Jewell, Walker, and Hornback, who combined for the record-setting nine doubles. Six Patriots—Bearden, Williams, Schmidt, Menard, Hornback, and Hammonds—recorded three or more hits. The 25-hit performance marked a season high for UT Tyler.
Schmidt had an outstanding game, going 3-for-5 with three doubles, six RBIs, and a run scored. He is now hitting .440 on the season with 15 doubles and 36 RBIs. Menard was perfect at the plate, going 4-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBIs.
GAME TWO
The second game was a stark contrast to the first, as both teams engaged in a pitching battle. The Patriots managed just one hit and fell to UT Permian Basin 1-0.
Kyle Froehlich started for UT Tyler, pitching one inning with one walk, one strikeout, and no hits allowed.
The Falcons scored the lone run in the second inning after two singles. That proved to be enough, as UT Tyler's offense struggled to generate any momentum.
Nick Niebur took the loss despite a strong performance, pitching four innings while allowing just three hits and striking out four. After surrendering the only run in the second, Niebur retired the minimum over his next three innings. He lowered his ERA to 2.53 over 21.1 innings this season.
Garrett Arredondo relieved Niebur in the sixth, striking out two and inducing a flyout to end the inning. His impressive outing lowered his ERA to 1.89 over 10 appearances. He has now thrown 10.2 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run, allowing just six hits and one walk while striking out 11 in that span.
The Patriots' best scoring opportunity came in the fourth inning when they loaded the bases with one out after a walk, a single from Kaston Mason, and another walk. However, they were unable to capitalize.
UT Tyler will look to secure the series win on Sunday, with first pitch set for 1 p.m.
