TYLER, TEXAS – The UT Tyler baseball program moved to 18-8 on the season after splitting its third straight series. Despite outscoring Eastern New Mexico 35–19 across the four games, the Patriots dropped the series finale 6–5 on Sunday after being outhit 11–6 in the contest.
The Patriots controlled the game early and jumped on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first. A leadoff walk followed by a failed pickoff attempt and a wild pitch moved the runner to third. Another walk set up a double steal by Drew Schmidt and Connor Clark, giving UT Tyler a 1–0 lead. The Patriots added another run moments later when Tanner Hornback delivered an RBI single to make it 2–0.
Dylan Blomquist took the mound for the Patriots and settled in quickly. After working around traffic in the first inning, he struck out two in a scoreless second before retiring the Greyhounds in order in the third.
UT Tyler extended its lead in the bottom of the third. Connor Clark singled and stole second before eventually advancing to third on another base hit. He later came home on a double play to push the Patriots' advantage to 3–0. Blomquist responded with another clean inning, again retiring Eastern New Mexico in order.
The score remained unchanged for several innings as both pitching staffs kept the offenses quiet.
Eastern New Mexico finally broke through in the eighth inning, rallying with two outs. A walk followed by three straight singles cut the deficit to 3–1. A wild pitch and another single then brought home the tying and go-ahead runs as the Greyhounds took a 4–3 lead.
The Greyhounds added insurance in the ninth inning with three more hits, a hit-by-pitch, and another wild pitch to extend their lead to 6–3.
UT Tyler attempted one final comeback in the bottom of the ninth. After a leadoff walk, Cole Ketzner launched a towering 419-foot home run over the center field wall, pulling the Patriots within one at 6–5. However, that would be the final push as the Greyhounds closed out the game to secure the finale.
Blomquist received a no-decision despite a strong outing, tossing six scoreless innings while allowing just four hits, striking out five, and throwing 80 pitches.
Clark led the Patriots at the plate as the only multi-hit performer, finishing 2-for-4 with two runs and a walk. He also stole two bases, bringing his season total to 19 as he continues to climb the Patriots' record books.
UT Tyler has now gone 6–6 over its last 12 games and will look to bounce back on the road next week when the Patriots travel to Lawton, Oklahoma, for a four-game series against Cameron.
