No. 1 Patriots sweep Cameron in softball

Published 10:14 pm Friday, March 21, 2025

LAWTON, Okla. — No. 1 UT Tyler softball continues its dominant season, improving to 29-2 overall and 20-2 in Lone Star Conference play. The Patriots swept Cameron, scoring 20 runs on 26 hits while allowing only one run across both games.

GAME ONE

UT Tyler secured a commanding 12-0 run-rule victory in five innings, tallying 13 hits while the pitching staff held Cameron scoreless.

The Patriots wasted no time, jumping to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning. Following a walk and a single, Taryn Barney launched a three-run homer over the fence.

Starting pitcher Kaylee Davis worked through early threats, escaping a first-inning jam with a double play. She delivered 4.1 shutout innings, scattering eight hits while keeping the Aggies off the scoreboard.

UT Tyler’s offense exploded in the second inning, adding six runs on six hits while capitalizing on a Cameron error. A leadoff single led to a run after a fielding miscue. JT Smith followed with a two-run homer, chasing the Aggies’ starter. However, the Patriots continued their offensive surge against the relief pitcher, stringing together an infield single, a double, and a hit-by-pitch before Jordyn De Los Santos crushed a three-run homer to extend the lead to 9-0.

The Patriots added their final three runs in the fourth. Bailey Krolczyk led off with a triple and scored on Barney’s second home run of the game. After a walk and a single, Miia Campos drove in the final run with an RBI double, sealing the 12-0 win.

Nine Patriots recorded hits in the opener, with four collecting multiple. Barney finished a perfect 2-for-2 with two home runs, three runs scored, and five RBIs. De Los Santos went 1-for-1 with two runs scored and three RBIs, courtesy of her homer.

GAME TWO

The Patriots completed the sweep with an 8-1 victory, powered by a balanced offensive effort and a stellar complete-game performance from Cera Blanchard.

Smith got things started with a single through the right side and later scored on a Krolczyk groundout for a 1-0 lead. Blanchard set the tone early, retiring the Aggies in order in the bottom half of the first. However, Cameron responded in the second, stringing together three straight singles to tie the game at 1-1.

UT Tyler reclaimed the lead in the fourth with two runs. Krolczyk led off with a double and immediately scored when Ka’Lyn Watson ripped an RBI double to center. A single and a walk added another run, pushing the lead to 3-1.

The Patriots continued to apply pressure in the fifth. Smith singled and stole second before advancing to third on a groundout. Watson delivered again with an RBI double to center, and another groundout plated one more, extending the lead to 5-1.

A three-run sixth inning sealed the victory. Back-to-back singles set up a two-run triple from Sam Schott, followed by a Krolczyk RBI single, giving UT Tyler the final 8-1 margin.

Eight Patriots recorded hits in the second game, with four notching multiple. Watson led the charge, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored. Blanchard improved to 11-2 on the season with a complete-game gem, allowing just one run over seven innings.

No. 1 UT Tyler remains on the road, traveling to Edmond, Oklahoma, for a doubleheader against No. 18 Oklahoma Christian on Sunday, beginning at 1 p.m.