TYLER, TEXAS – UT Tyler baseball dropped the series finale to the Hilltoppers on Sunday afternoon, falling 12-6 to earn a split on the weekend. The visitors outhit the Patriots 15-7 and used a big first inning to build an early cushion.

The Hilltoppers struck for four runs in the opening frame, capitalizing on a leadoff single, a one-out error, and a pair of doubles. After both teams were held quiet through the next two innings, UT Tyler got on the board in the fourth. A bunt single and walk set up Cole Ketzner, who delivered a two-out infield single to plate the Patriots' first run. St. Edward's stretched the lead in the sixth with a three-run homer following two walks, then added another run to make it 8-1.

The Patriots answered with their biggest inning of the day in the seventh. A leadoff single and two walks loaded the bases before Brock Bearden drove a ball through the left side to score two. Two more walks forced in a run, a fielder's choice added another, and a pickoff throwing error brought home the fifth run of the inning to cut the deficit to 8-6. St. Edward's responded with a run in the eighth and added three more in the ninth to secure the 12-6 final.

Five Patriots recorded hits in the game. Bearden and Tanner Hornback each tallied two hits and a double. Bearden finished 2-for-2 with two RBI and a run scored, while Hornback went 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

The loss moves UT Tyler to 14-4 overall, as they remain atop the Lone Star Conference standings. The Patriots outscored the Hilltoppers 29-19 across the four-game series. They will travel to Canyon, Texas, on March 6 to open a new series against West Texas A&M.