The UT Tyler Patriots erupted in a doubleheader on Saturday, sweeping Angelo State 13‑3 and 5‑0 to clinch the South Central Regional championship and earn a berth in the Super Regional. The victories were marked by explosive hitting, stifling pitching, and a collective effort that left the opposition with just one extra‑base hit in 18 innings.
A Dominant Regional Finale
Game one saw the Patriots explode for five runs in the third inning, a burst sparked by Connor Clark’s three‑hit, five‑RBI performance that put the team firmly in control. Coleson Abel delivered a defining performance, tossing 8.1 innings and striking out 11 batters, while Brock Bearden and Tanner Hornback combined for key outs that kept Angelo State at bay.
In the championship game, Dylan Blomquist delivered a complete‑game shutout, fanning ten hitters while the offense added a sacrifice fly from Bryce Jewell in the fourth inning to break the deadlock. Drew Schmidt led the hitting attack with three hits and two RBIs, and the Patriots’ bullpen, featuring Spencer Simpson and Kaston Mason, preserved the lead with tight relief work.
The Patriots’ pitching staff combined for 21 strikeouts and allowed just a single extra‑base hit over 18 innings, a testament to a disciplined staff led by Coleson Abel and supported by relievers such as Brock Bearden, Tanner Hornback, and the rest of the corps. With the regional title secured, the team, based in Tyler, Texas, will now travel to Grand Junction, Colorado, to face Colorado Mesa in a best‑of‑three series for a chance to reach the Division II College World Series.