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FLASHBACK<\/p>\n
The 2025 season marked a historic breakthrough for the Patriots. UT Tyler finished 49\u201313 overall and 40\u20138 in Lone Star Conference play, setting a new school record for wins while establishing itself as one of the most complete teams in Division II baseball.<\/p>\n
Behind a balanced attack that paired one of the league’s top pitching staffs with a deep, experienced lineup, the Patriots surged through the NCAA postseason. UT Tyler went unbeaten in both the Regional and Super Regional rounds, captured the South Central Super Regional title, and earned the program’s first-ever berth to the NCAA Division II Baseball Championship in Cary, North Carolina.<\/p>\n
PATS IN THE\u00a0POLLS<\/p>\n
To start the year the Patriots were selected as the preseason favorites to capture their first Lone Star Conference title, totaling 603 points and 20 first-place votes in the poll.\u00a0Caden Copeland<\/a>\u00a0was named LSC Preseason Pitcher of the Year, while\u00a0Drew Schmidt<\/a>\u00a0earned LSC Preseason Player of the Year honors. Nationally, UT Tyler was ranked No. 4 in both the ABCA Division II Preseason Coaches Poll and the D2 Baseball Preseason Poll, and slotted No. 3 in the NCBWA preseason rankings. Schmidt also collected First Team Preseason All-American honors from both D2 Baseball and NCBWA, while\u00a0Tanner Hornback<\/a>\u00a0earned Second Team recognition from D2 Baseball and First Team honors from NCBWA.<\/p>\n The Patriots earned their highest NCAA Division II ERA rankings in program history heading into week three’s LSC matchup against the Dustdevils. UT Tyler climbed to No. 1 in the latest Perfect Game poll after previously sitting fourth, while holding steady at No. 4 in both the NCBWA and D2 Baseball polls. In the Division II Composite Rankings, the Patriots check in at No. 2 with 69 points, just five behind defending national champion Tampa.<\/p>\n PATRIOTS NOTES AND TRENDS
\nLAST TIME OUT<\/p>\n The Patriots improved to 5-1 on the season after securing a series win over No. 9 Angelo State, earning victories by scores of 2\u20130 and 12\u201311. In the 12\u201311 win, Cole Ketzner<\/a> paced the offense with a 2-for-3 performance, blasting two home runs, driving in six RBIs, and reaching base four times.<\/p>\n
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\n\tUT Tyler closed the 2025 season with a 49\u201313 overall record and a 40\u20138 mark in Lone Star Conference play, finishing second in the LSC regular-season standings and advancing to its fourth consecutive LSC Tournament. The Patriots went on to capture their first Super Regional title and earned a trip to the NCAA Division II World Series.
\n\tThe Patriots have defended their home ballpark in a big way over their first years of Division II. Going back to their first season of Division II eligibility (2022), the Patriots are 93-38\u00a0inside Irwin Field prior to the 2026\u00a0season.
\n\tHead Coach\u00a0Brent Porche<\/a>\u00a0enters his tenth season with UT Tyler and holds a record of 300-138\u00a0with the Patriots. He holds a career record of 447-221\u00a0in his 14\u00a0total seasons.
\n\tOn March 10th, 2024 with a win over Texas A&M-Kingsville, Coach Porche became the all-time winningest coach in UT Tyler Baseball history, surpassing James Vilade for the top spot.
\n\tThe Patriots return several key contributors from that historic run, headlined by returning All-American\u00a0Drew Schmidt<\/a>, who anchors a middle infield alongside preseason All-American\u00a0Tanner Hornback<\/a>. They are joined by a strong group of returning bats in\u00a0Bryce Jewell<\/a>,\u00a0Kaston Mason<\/a>,\u00a0Connor Clark<\/a>, and\u00a0Brock Bearden<\/a>.
\n\tJoining those returners will be a cast of highly touted newcomers. The Patriots brought in the #1\u00a0ranked transfer portal class which includes LSC Preseason Pitcher of the Year\u00a0Caden Copeland<\/a>.
\n\tOffensively, UT Tyler was one of the nation’s most productive lineups in 2025, totaling 696 hits and batting .344 as a team. The Patriots added 139 doubles, scored 569 runs, and swiped 86 bases over the course of the season.
\n\tOn the mound and in the field, UT Tyler was equally impressive. The pitching staff held\u00a0a 3.78\u00a0ERA while the defense fielded at a .967 clip.
\n\tSchmidt and Hornback paced the attack. Schmidt hit .410, set the program single-season hits record with 98, and reached base at a .500 clip. Hornback matched the .410 batting average, broke the program’s single-season runs record with 68, and posted a .504 on-base percentage.
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