EDMOND, OKLAHOMA – The UT Tyler Patriots baseball program delivered a record-breaking offensive performance in the series opener against Oklahoma Christian, cruising to a 27-12 run-rule victory in just seven innings. The Patriots set a new program record in the Division II era by scoring 27 runs and launching seven home runs. Altogether, they racked up 14 extra-base hits in a dominant showing.
The fireworks began early, with UT Tyler jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning on just one hit. Two walks and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases for Bryce Jewell, who cleared them with a triple to right field. Jewell would later score on a fielder's choice. The Eagles answered with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning, cutting the lead to 4-2.
Both teams went quietly in the second, but in the third, the Patriots added another run. Drew Schmidt doubled and was promptly driven in by another Jewell double to make it 5-2. Oklahoma Christian again responded, this time capitalizing on a UT Tyler error and a series of hits to bring the game within one at 5-4.
Then came the third inning explosion. The Patriots erupted for 10 runs, including four home runs. After loading the bases with a double and two hit-by-pitches, Connor Clark launched a grand slam. Justin Williams followed with a solo shot, and Kaston Mason added a two-run homer shortly after. A single and double set up Blake LaBuda for an RBI double, and Mason Hammonds capped the monster inning with a two-run blast, putting UT Tyler up 15-4.
The Eagles responded with four runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth, fueled by a combination of singles, a walk, and a Patriots error. The inning closed with the score at 15-8.
UT Tyler added three more runs in the fifth. Mason hit his second two-run homer of the game following a leadoff walk, and a passed ball brought in another run to push the lead to 18-8. Oklahoma Christian countered with two runs of their own, trimming the margin to 18-10.
The Patriots sealed the game with a nine-run seventh inning. Tanner Hornback drove in a run with a double, and after another free pass loaded the bases, Williams smashed his second home run of the game — another grand slam. Two more runs scored on an error, and LaBuda capped the scoring barrage with the team's seventh home run, making it 27-10.
Oklahoma Christian added two more in the bottom of the seventh, but it wasn't enough to avoid the run-rule, as the game ended 27-12.
Offensively, the Patriots delivered their best performance since joining Division II. Every player recorded at least one extra-base hit, and five different players collected four or more RBIs. The home runs came from Clark, Williams (2), Mason (2), LaBuda, and Hammonds. Jewell was a home run shy of the cycle, going 4-for-5 with two doubles, a triple, six RBIs, and five runs scored.
With the historic win, UT Tyler improved to 33-8 in conference play and extended their winning streak to seven games. The Patriots will look to keep the momentum going in Saturday's doubleheader, beginning at 1 p.m.
