TYLER, TEXAS – UT Tyler baseball used a combination of power hitting and efficient pitching to sweep a Saturday doubleheader against UT Permian Basin, winning game one 10–2 before taking game two 11–3. The Patriots combined for 21 runs on 15 hits while limiting the Falcons to just five total runs across the two contests.
GAME ONE
The Patriots erased an early deficit with a five-run third inning and never looked back in a 10–2 victory. UT Tyler finished with 10 runs on seven hits, highlighted by three home runs and a strong outing on the mound.
After UTPB took a 2–0 lead on back-to-back solo home runs in the third, the Patriots responded immediately. A sacrifice fly from Kaston Mason cut the deficit to one before Cole Ketzner delivered the decisive blow, launching a grand slam to left-center to give UT Tyler a 5–2 advantage.
The Patriots added to their lead in the fourth when Travis Bragg connected on a two-run home run, and Ketzner struck again in the fifth with his second homer of the game to extend the lead to 9–2. UT Tyler added one more run in the sixth with a bases loaded walk to cap the scoring.
Ketzner led the offense with a 2-for-3 performance, two home runs, and six RBIs, while Bragg added a home run and two RBIs. Tanner Hornback scored twice, and five Patriots reached base via walk as UT Tyler showed patience at the plate.
On the mound, Julio Garcia earned the win after tossing five innings, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out three. Jacob Morgan closed out the final two innings, allowing just one hit and striking out three as the Patriots held UTPB scoreless over the final four frames.
GAME TWO
UT Tyler carried its momentum into game two, scoring 10 runs over the first three innings on its way to an 11–3 victory to complete the sweep.
After the Falcons struck first, the Patriots answered with four runs in the opening frame. Cole Ketzner delivered a two-RBI single that turned into a three-run play following an outfield error, and Travis Bragg added an RBI to give UT Tyler a 4–1 lead.
The Patriots added three more runs in the second behind an RBI single from Drew Schmidt along with runs scored on a passed ball and a bases-loaded walk. UT Tyler broke the game open in the third, highlighted by a two-RBI double from Brock Bearden and another RBI from Ketzner to push the lead to 10–1.
UTPB responded with two runs in the fourth, but Spencer Simpson added an insurance run in the sixth with an RBI double to extend the lead to 11–3.
UT Tyler finished with eight hits and drew 11 walks in the game, continuing to apply pressure offensively. Connor Clark led the way with a 2-for-3 performance and two runs scored, while Schmidt added two runs and an RBI. Ketzner drove in three more runs, giving him nine RBIs on the day.
On the mound, Ethan Jezierski earned the win in relief, tossing 3.2 scoreless innings while allowing just three hits and striking out four. The Patriots limited UTPB to four hits in the game and worked around five walks to secure the victory.
The Patriots return to action tomorrow at 1 p.m. as they look to complete the series sweep over the Falcons.
