TYLER, TEXAS – The UT Tyler Baseball program swept Saturday's doubleheader against St. Mary's by scores of 7-0 and 4-3. The pitching staff dominated throughout both games, allowing just three runs on nine hits combined while utilizing only four arms. Offensively, the Patriots produced 11 runs on 17 hits to secure another series win.

GAME ONE

The Patriots combined for a shutout in game one, with the pitching staff allowing just three hits while striking out eight Rattlers. The offense provided plenty of run support early and often.

Nick Niebur started on the mound and quickly set the tone, sitting down the Rattlers in order in the first. UT Tyler gave him his first run of support in the bottom of the inning after a Kyle Atkinson RBI single made it 1-0. Niebur returned to the mound in the second and once again worked a clean inning, tallying two more strikeouts. The Patriots' offense kept the momentum going after a sequence of a hit-by-pitch, hit-by-pitch, walk, walk, and a sacrifice lineout that extended the lead to 3-0.

Niebur continued to cruise, retiring the side in order again in the third with two more punchouts. The Patriots added to their lead in the fifth when Kaston Mason led off with a double roped down the right-field line. Two straight flyouts moved Mason around the bases to push the advantage to 4-0.

Julio Garcia entered the game in the sixth and picked up right where Niebur left off, retiring the Rattlers in order. The Patriots then blew the game open with a three-run bottom half of the sixth. A single and double set the table for Drew Schmidt, who delivered a two-RBI single. Schmidt stole second and later scored on another double by Mason, setting the final score at 7-0.

The duo of Niebur and Garcia combined to throw all seven innings, allowing no runs and just three hits. Niebur improved to 2-1 on the season and lowered his ERA to 1.83. Garcia's two shutout innings dropped his ERA to 4.50 across 16 innings pitched.

Offensively, Schmidt drove in three runs and went 1-for-3 with a run scored. Mason was perfect at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs. He now holds a .322 batting average with 28 RBIs on the season.

GAME TWO

In game two, the Patriots used a two-run sixth inning to regain the lead late and complete the doubleheader sweep. Once again, only two pitchers were needed, and the offense came through in key moments.

Kyle Froehlich started and immediately picked up where the staff left off in game one, retiring the side in order with two strikeouts in the first. However, St. Mary's grabbed their first lead of the day in the second after two straight walks set up a two-run single.

UT Tyler responded quickly in their half of the second inning. Bryce Jewell led off with a double, moved to third on a Blak LaBuda single, and scored on a Tanner Hornback sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to 2-1. Froehlich worked a clean third inning, and the Patriots tied the game in the bottom half after capitalizing on a Rattler error and a fielder's choice.

Both pitching staffs held the score at 2-2 until the sixth inning when UT Tyler broke through. After an early out, a single, double, and walk loaded the bases for pinch-hitter Dylan Blomquist, who drew an RBI walk to give the Patriots a 3-2 lead. Mason Hammonds followed with another bases-loaded walk to push the lead to 4-2.

Froehlich returned for the seventh and quickly recorded two outs before running into trouble with a Rattler double and an RBI single, cutting the lead to 4-3. Garrett Arredondo came out of the bullpen and recorded the final out to seal the win.

Froehlich kept his undefeated record intact, moving to 8-0 on the season. He tossed 6.2 innings, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out four. Arredondo picked up his seventh save of the season and lowered his ERA to 2.49.

Offensively, Schmidt and LaBuda were the only Patriots with multiple hits. Schmidt finished 2-for-4, while LaBuda posted a perfect 3-for-3 night with a run scored. LaBuda now boasts a .377 batting average with 22 runs scored.

With the sweep, the Patriots improve to 40-9 heading into Sunday's regular season finale at 1 p.m. The UT Tyler baseball graduation ceremony will precede the game, beginning at 12:30 p.m.