LAST TIME OUT
 
The Patriots improved to 41–9 on the season after sweeping St. Mary's to conclude regular season play. UT Tyler was able to complete the sweep and break the program record for wins in a season in extra innings when Mason Hammonds rocketed a walk-off RBI single to right center to win 5-4.

NATIONAL POLLS

UT Tyler Baseball finished the regular season inside the top ten in all three national polls. The Patriots moved up to No. 5 in the D2 Baseball Poll, No. 3 in the ABCA Coaches Poll, and No. 5 in the NCBWA Poll. Fellow Lone Star Conference programs Angelo State and St. Edward's also appeared in the rankings, either ranked or receiving votes.
 
PATRIOTS NOTES AND TRENDS

• UT Tyler finished the 2024 season 29-23 overall and 28-20 in LSC play on the way to finishing 5^th in the LSC and making their third consecutive LSC Tournament.
• The Patriots have defended their home ballpark in a big way over their first years of Division II. Going back to their first season of Division II eligibility (2022), the Patriots are 67-34 inside Irwin Field prior to the 2025 season.
• Head Coach Brent Porche enters his ninth season with UT Tyler and holds a record of 287-133 with the Patriots. He holds a career record of 434-216 in his 13 total seasons.
• On March 10^th, 2024 with a win over Texas A&M-Kingsville, Coach Porche became the all-time winningest coach in UT Tyler Baseball history, surpassing James Vilade for the top spot.
• The Patriots will return several key contributors from the 2024 season, with returning All-American Rawley Hector headlining a pitching staff that includes former All-American's Dylan Blomquist and Garrett Arredondo. Joining those pitchers will be several key bats including Blake LaBuda, Kyle Atkinson, Kaston Mason, and Connor Clark.
• Joining those returners will be a cast of highly touted newcomers. The Patriots brought in the #2 ranked JUCO class according to JBB, and also added the #34 transfer portal class according to 64 Analytics.
• The Patriots have been a dominant force offensively, ranking fifth in NCAA Division II in total hits (560), eighth in runs scored, 14th in doubles, seventh in batting average, ninth in walks, and sixth in on-base percentage.
• UT Tyler has also impressed on the mound and in the field. The pitching staff owns a 3.81 ERA—10th-best in the nation—while the defense ranks 25th nationally in double plays turned.
• Drew Schmidt leads that strong offense, hitting .450 on the year with 19 doubles and five triples to go with 50 RBI and 49 runs scored. Rawley Hector leads the Patriots in multiple pitching categories. He holds a 7-1 record on the season with a 3.11 ERA over 63.2 innings pitched, striking out 67.

 
JAVELINAS NOTES AND TRENDS

• Texas A&M-Kingsville is 27-23 on the year and finished 26-22 in LSC play. They have a record of 13-12 when they are the visitors.
• Vincent Sanchez leads the offense at a .335 average thus far. He has 15 doubles a triple and a home run while driving in 32 runs and scoring 33 himself. He is getting on base at a .448 clip and is slugging .457.
• On the mound, Gabriel LeBlanc leads the way, pitching to a 4.24 ERA and a 4-5 record. LeBlanc has thrown 51.0 innings while striking out 38 and is holding opponents to a .266 average.
• Head coach Jason Gonzales is currently the longest tenured coach for Texas A&M-Kingsville after starting with the program in 2008. Gonzales holds a record of 492-355 in his 17th season with the Javelinas.