TYLER, TEXAS – The UT Tyler baseball program secured its first-ever second weekend victory in the Lone Star Conference Tournament with a 6-3 win over Lubbock Christian on Thursday evening at Irwin Field. The Patriots used a big first inning and a dominant relief performance to advance and will now face #2 Angelo State on Friday at 3 p.m.
Lubbock Christian struck first in the opening frame, capitalizing on a pair of Patriot errors to plate an unearned run and take a 1-0 lead. UT Tyler answered immediately in the bottom half with one of its most productive innings to kick of postseason play. Brock Bearden ignited the offense with a 110 exit velocity solo home run to even the score, and the Patriots continued to apply pressure. Tanner Hornback reached and later scored on an RBI single from Drew Schmidt before Kaston Mason delivered a run-scoring double that also allowed Schmidt to come around and score, giving UT Tyler a 3-1 advantage after one.
Caden Copeland got the start on the mound and settled in after the early defensive miscues. The left-hander attacked the zone and worked efficiently through the middle innings, keeping the Chaps off balance. Lubbock Christian managed to push across a run in the fourth on a wild pitch to cut the deficit to 3-2, but Copeland limited further damage and continued to keep UT Tyler in front.
The Patriots created separation again in the fifth inning. Mason led off with a double to center field, and UT Tyler capitalized on a Lubbock Christian throwing error that allowed Mason to score. Later in the inning, Connor Clark came through with an RBI single to extend the lead to 5-2.
Lubbock Christian threatened again in the sixth, taking advantage of another Patriot error to make it a two-run game at 5-3. That would be the final momentum shift of the night, as Julio Garcia entered out of the bullpen and delivered one of the most dominant relief outings of the season. Making his first appearance out of the bullpen since game four of the year, despite primarily serving as a starter, Garcia was nearly untouchable. He recorded the final 11 outs of the game and struck out 10 of the 12 batters he faced, completely shutting down the Chaps offense and allowing no hits over 3.2 innings.
UT Tyler added an important insurance run in the eighth inning. Clark worked a leadoff walk and moved into scoring position before Bearden placed a bunt single to apply pressure. Hornback followed with a sacrifice fly to center field, bringing Clark home and pushing the lead to 6-3.
Garcia closed the door in the ninth, finishing off the victory in dominant fashion. The win completed their first second weekend win in program history in the LSC Tournament.
Offensively, UT Tyler totaled 10 hits on the night. Bearden led the way with a three-hit performance, including his solo home run. Mason added two hits and an RBI, while Clark also recorded two hits and drove in a run. Schmidt chipped in with an RBI as part of the Patriots' balanced attack.
Copeland earned the win on the mound, improving to 6-1 on the season after allowing just one earned run over 5.1 innings while striking out four.
With the win, UT Tyler continues its postseason run and will face #2 Angelo State on Friday at 3 p.m. at Irwin Field.
