Patriots win to split series

Published 6:45 pm Monday, March 17, 2025

Ryan Walker hit a three-run homer to help power UT Tyler to a 9-5 win over Eastern New Mexico to split the four-game Lone Star Conference baseball series at Greyhound Field in Portales, New Mexico.

The Patriots improved to 21-8 overall and 21-7 in the LSC. The Greyhounds fell to 14-12 and 12-12.

UT Tyler won the first game 7-4 on Saturday and ENM swept the doubleheader on Sunday (5-4, 13-3).

The Patriots return for a home series against Cameron — March 21 (7 p.m.), March 22 (3 and 6 p.m.) and March 23 (1 p.m.).

In Monday’s game, UT Tyler rallied from an early 2-0 deficit, scoring five runs in the second inning en route to the win.

In the second inning, Blake LaBuda had a two-RBI single and Walker added the three-run homer.

Walker later had an RBI double for a total of four RBIs. Bryce Jewell and Tanner Hornback added two-baggers.

Drew Schmidt, Jewell, LaBuda, Hornback and Walker all had two hits.

Joining Walker with RBIs were LaBuda (2), Mason Hammonds (1), Schmidt (1) and Brock Bearden (1).

Jacob Hadden started for the Patriots, going 2.1 innings (5 hits, 4 runs, 3 walks, 2 strikeouts). Nick Niebur (W 1-0) followed and got the win (3 innings, 2 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 2 strikeouts). Garrett Arredondo recorded his fifth save (3.2 innings, 4 hits, 1 unearned run, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts).

Kyle Kiernan hit a homer for the Greyhounds and Willie Ponce drove in three runs.