A Late Rally Falls Short
Colorado Mesa erupted in the second inning, plating nine runs to take a commanding lead before adding four more in the fourth, ultimately sealing a 20‑4 victory over No. 2 UT Tyler. The early onslaught left the Patriots playing from behind for the entire contest.
UT Tyler managed to get on the board with a double and an RBI from Tanner Hornback and a timely single by Connor Clark, but the early deficit proved insurmountable. The Patriots rallied in the ninth when Travis Bragg launched a three‑run homer, narrowing the gap but falling short of a comeback.
What’s at Stake
The series now shifts to a winner‑takes‑all showdown Saturday night at The Diamond, where the victor will earn a berth in the NCAA Division II College World Series in Cary, North Carolina. A win would send the Patriots to the national stage, while a loss would end their season in Grand Junction, Colorado, the site of the Super Regional.
Both teams will look to key contributors such as Hornback, Clark, and Bragg as they aim to extend their seasons. The upcoming game promises high stakes and a chance for redemption after a dominant performance by Colorado Mesa.