Next Game:
Oklahoma Christian
4/17/2026 | 3 p.m.
Apr. 17 (Fri) / 3 p.m.
 Oklahoma Christian
TYLER, TEXAS – The UT Tyler baseball program continued its dominant run atop the Lone Star Conference with a 13-3 run-rule victory over Oklahoma Christian on Thursday night, powered by a balanced offensive attack and a commanding performance on the mound.
Oklahoma Christian struck first in the opening inning with a pair of RBI singles to take a 2-0 lead, but the Patriots quickly responded. UT Tyler got on the board in the bottom of the first on a wild pitch before Bryce Jewell tied the game in the second with an RBI single to score Spencer Simpson.
After the Eagles briefly regained the lead in the third, UT Tyler answered once again. A sacrifice fly from Luke Smith in the bottom half evened the score at 3-3, setting the stage for a decisive stretch.
The Patriots broke the game open in the fourth inning, capitalizing on aggressive baserunning and timely hitting. Brock Bearden delivered an RBI single before Drew Schmidt drove in two with a base hit up the middle. Kaston Mason followed with an RBI single to cap a four-run inning and give UT Tyler a 7-3 advantage.
UT Tyler continued to apply pressure in the fifth, taking advantage of defensive miscues and delivering key hits. Cole Ketzner highlighted the inning with a two-run double down the left field line as the Patriots extended their lead to 10-3.
On the mound, Caden Copeland was dominant after the early innings, settling in to retire 11 of the final 12 batters he faced. The right-hander tossed six strong innings, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out eight to earn the win. Klayton Wingfield closed out the game with a scoreless seventh inning.
The Patriots added insurance in the sixth with an RBI single from Connor Clark before finishing the run-rule victory in the seventh. Ketzner delivered his third hit of the night with an RBI single, and Travis Bragg drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home the final run.
UT Tyler finished with 13 hits on the night, led by Ketzner’s 3-for-3 performance with three RBIs. Tanner Hornback added two hits, while Schmidt drove in multiple runs as part of a well-rounded offensive effort.
With the win, the Patriots improve their stronghold on first place in the Lone Star Conference and will look to secure the series in Friday’s doubleheader against Oklahoma Christian, beginning at 3 p.m., as senior day celebrations continue.