TYLER, TEXAS – The Patriots baseball program split Saturday's doubleheader against the Hilltoppers taking game one 9-2 before falling in a tight 5-4 game.
GAME ONE
The Patriots claimed game one of the doubleheader with a 9–2 victory, powered by six strong innings from Julio Garcia and a home run from Drew Schmidt. UT Tyler totaled 10 hits in the win and needed just one arm out of the bullpen to secure the result.
The Hilltoppers struck first in the second inning, using a single and an RBI double to take a 1–0 lead. Garcia limited the damage and settled in, keeping St. Edward's off the board in the third and fourth. The Patriots answered in the bottom of the fourth when Schmidt led off the frame with a solo home run to even the score at 1–1.
UT Tyler broke the game open in the fifth with a seven-run outburst on seven hits. A single and sacrifice bunt set the table for Connor Clark, who drove a double into right-center to give the Patriots a 2–1 lead. Schmidt followed with a single and advanced to second on the throw home, eventually scoring on a single and passed ball. After a walk loaded traffic, Travis Bragg ripped a ball into the left-field gap to extend the lead to 6–1. Bryce Jewell added an RBI single, stole second, and later scored when Cole Ketzner delivered another base hit, capping the inning with an 8–1 advantage.
The Hilltoppers pushed across a run in the sixth on three singles, but the Patriots responded in the bottom half. A double and hit-by-pitch put runners aboard before an RBI groundout stretched the lead to 9–2, which held as the final.
Ethan Stone closed the door in the seventh with a three-up, three-down frame to seal the victory. Garcia improved to 2–1 on the season, allowing just two runs over six innings while striking out four on 94 pitches.
Seven different Patriots recorded at least one hit, with two posting multi-hit performances. Schmidt finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI, including his second home run of the season. Ketzner also went 2-for-2, scoring once and driving in a run.
GAME TWO
The Patriots fell in game two of the doubleheader, 5–4, despite outhitting timely moments late and bringing the tying and winning runs aboard in their final at-bat.
Both teams were quiet in the first inning before St. Edward's broke through in the second. Two straight singles opened the frame, and a passed ball later in the inning allowed the first run to score for a 1–0 lead. The Hilltoppers added another in the third after a pair of singles and a rundown play extended the advantage to 2–0.
UT Tyler answered in the bottom half of the third with three runs on two hits to take control. A single and a walk set the table, and Drew Schmidt delivered an RBI single to get the Patriots on the board. Another walk loaded the bases, and a Hilltopper error allowed two more runs to score, giving UT Tyler a 3–2 edge. St. Edward's responded quickly, using a walk and a single to even the score at 3–3.
The Hilltoppers regained the lead in the fifth and plated what proved to be the decisive runs. Three consecutive singles pushed one across, and a walk followed by another single made it 5–3. That score held until the seventh.
In the final inning, the Patriots mounted a serious threat. Schmidt doubled to lead off the frame, and a single along with a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases with no outs. A two-out wild pitch trimmed the deficit to 5–4 and brought the tying run 90 feet away, but UT Tyler was unable to bring him home, leaving the bases loaded to end the game.
Schmidt provided the offensive spark, going 3-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI. Tanner Chelette added another multi-hit effort, finishing 2-for-2 with a run scored.
The Patriots will look to secure the series tomorrow against the Hilltoppers, with first pitch scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
