TYLER, TEXAS – UT Tyler baseball opens the 2026 campaign as the preseason favorite to win the Lone Star Conference, a reflection of a program that continues to elevate itself on the Division II stage. The Patriots were selected atop the LSC Preseason Poll after collecting 603 points and 20 first-place votes, while Drew Schmidt and Caden Copeland earned Preseason Player of the Year and Preseason Pitcher of the Year honors, respectively.
Coming off one of the most successful seasons in program history, UT Tyler returns to the field with a blend of proven returners, elite newcomers, and a clear understanding of what it takes to compete at the highest level.
LAST SEASON
The 2025 season marked a historic breakthrough for the Patriots. UT Tyler finished 49–13 overall and 40–8 in Lone Star Conference play, setting a new school record for wins while establishing itself as one of the most complete teams in Division II baseball.
Behind a balanced attack that paired one of the league's top pitching staffs with a deep, experienced lineup, the Patriots surged through the NCAA postseason. UT Tyler went unbeaten in both the Regional and Super Regional rounds, captured the South Central Super Regional title, and earned the program's first-ever berth to the NCAA Division II Baseball Championship in Cary, North Carolina.
Head coach Brent Porche responds to last season's success with a mindset centered on consistency and growth.
"I heard it said last week from LSU Baseball coach Jay Johnson, 'act like we are No. 1, prepare like we are No. 2,'" Porche said. "Last year's success should affirm to our guys that we can achieve success with what we do and how we do it, but it doesn't guarantee anything for this year's team. We know the standards, and we have to work even harder to build on what we've achieved as a program."
RETURNING CORE AND NEW LEADERSHIP
UT Tyler returns a veteran core that has experienced every level of the Division II postseason climb. Drew Schmidt, Bryce Jewell, Tanner Hornback, and Kaston Mason provide leadership and institutional knowledge for a roster filled with new faces.
"That core group has been part of seasons where we underachieved, seasons where we were one win away from a Super Regional, and then making it to Cary last year," Porche said. "They know what the pitfalls look like and what success looks like. That experience is something we will lean on as we pursue our goals of winning the LSC, getting back to Cary, and winning a national championship."
Schmidt, a junior shortstop from Lewisville, Texas, anchors the lineup after a standout season in which he hit .410 with eight home runs, 22 doubles, five triples, and 60 RBI. He earned All-American and All-LSC First Team honors while setting a program record with 98 hits in a single season.
IMPACT NEWCOMERS
The Patriots welcome the nation's top-ranked transfer portal class, adding immediate depth and versatility throughout the roster.
Offensively, Travis Bragg (Texas State) is expected to contribute in right field, at DH, and at first base, while Luke Smith (Rice) will see time at third base. Cole Ketzner (South Alabama) is projected to handle the majority of the work behind the plate. Additional offensive contributors include Ben Lea (ETBU), John Maldonado Jr. (UTSA), Drew Bourgeois (Louisiana Tech), and junior college transfer Zack Zavala.
On the mound, UT Tyler adds a wave of new arms expected to log significant innings. Caden Copeland, a senior left-hander with Division I experience at Sam Houston State and Louisiana Tech, headlines the group alongside Coleson Abel (Lamar) and Garrett Landry (Stephen F. Austin). Junior college pitchers Ethan Jezierski and Sam Nitzke (Angelina), Jacob Morgan (Midland College), Tyle Puckett (Wharton), and Klayton Wingfield (Baton Rouge CC) add depth to a Patriot staff that ranked among the Lone Star Conference's best a year ago.
EARLY CONFERENCE TESTS
UT Tyler opens the 2026 season at home with a three-game Lone Star Conference series against Lubbock Christian beginning January 30, followed by a road series at Angelo State. Those matchups represent the only two conference series played in a traditional three-game format.
"We certainly have a unique schedule starting conference baseball in January, but it's something we've become accustomed to," Porche said. "We know the significance of those two series as far as postseason implications. It's a balancing act early on between ramping up arms the right way and putting the best guys out there to win. How we manage our pitching staff, particularly our bullpen early, will be a determining factor not only in those games, but throughout a long and tough Lone Star Conference season."
HOME-FIELD ADVANTAGE
Irwin Field has emerged as one of the toughest venues in the conference, with UT Tyler winning 41 home games over the past two seasons.
"We love being in our environment at home," Porche said. "There's success in the name — IrWIN — and that's certainly rung true. We've seen significant growth in our crowds, which is a credit to our success and our administration committing resources to enhance the game-day experience. It starts with President Dr. Julie Philley and her commitment to community involvement, and we hope to continue building that momentum with great crowds at Irwin Field."
EXPECTATIONS AHEAD
Ranked No. 4 nationally in the D2Baseball Preseason Top 25, UT Tyler enters the 2026 season as the highest-ranked team in the Lone Star Conference and the South Central Region. With championship experience, elite newcomers, and a culture rooted in preparation and accountability, the Patriots are positioned for another deep postseason run.
UT Tyler opens the 2026 season at Irwin Field on January 30 against Lubbock Christian, beginning another highly anticipated year for Patriot baseball.
