TYLER, TEXAS – The UT Tyler Baseball program returned from their bye week in winning fashion, taking down Southern Arkansas 9-6 in a midweek non-conference matchup on Tuesday afternoon. The Patriots capitalized on five Mulerider errors and racked up 11 hits to fuel the victory.

Nick Niebur took the mound for UT Tyler and set the tone early, retiring the side in order in the first inning with two strikeouts. The Patriots quickly took control in the bottom of the inning, scoring two runs on three hits. Justin Williams led off with a single and then stole second. Drew Schmidt continued his hot streak with an RBI double down the right field line to score the game's first run. Bryce Jewell followed with a double of his own—this one down the left field line—to give UT Tyler an early 2-0 lead.

Niebur kept the Muleriders quiet in the second, once again setting them down in order with a pop-up and two groundouts. However, Southern Arkansas got on the board in the third after back-to-back singles were moved into scoring position with a bunt. A sacrifice fly cut the lead to 2-1. They tied the game in the fourth with a double followed by an RBI single, making it 2-2.

The Patriots answered in the fifth. Singles from Williams and Schmidt, followed by an error, put runners in scoring position. Kaston Mason delivered a sacrifice fly to give UT Tyler a 3-2 lead. Another error extended the inning and brought in a run, and Brock Bearden added an RBI single to make it 5-2.

The Muleriders responded in the seventh, taking their first lead of the game. Two walks and an RBI single set the stage, and a three-run homer gave Southern Arkansas a 6-5 advantage, but the lead didn't last long. Due to Bearden launching a solo home run to dead center in the bottom of the seventh—his fifth of the season—to tie the game at six. In the eighth, the Patriots capitalized on more defensive miscues from the Muleriders. After a leadoff walk and an error, Schmidt gave UT Tyler the lead with an RBI single. Two bases-loaded walks added insurance runs, bringing the final score to 9-6.

Niebur pitched three innings, allowing one run and striking out three. Garrett Arredondo earned his second win of the season, tossing three innings with one run allowed and three strikeouts.

Williams, Bearden, and Schmidt each had multi-hit games. Bearden and Williams both recorded two hits, while Schmidt went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. He now boasts a .444 batting average with 64 hits and 39 RBIs on the season.

With the win, UT Tyler improves to 29-9 overall with 12 conference games remaining. The Patriots will look to keep their momentum going as they host Sul Ross State this weekend, starting Friday at 7 p.m.