UT Tyler

The UT Tyler Patriots are national softball champions.

The Patriots defeated Western Washington 10-1 on Saturday to sweep the series and capture the 2024 NCAA Division II national championship at Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood, Florida.

UT Tyler (58-7) won over the Vikings 3-0 on Friday in Game 1 of the best-of-three national championship series. The Patriots finished 10-0 in the NCAA postseason.

It is the second time in program history for a national title. The Patriots won the 2016 NCAA Division III national championship.

Christin Haygood, named Most Outstanding Player of the tournament, tossed a two-hitter to dominate in the circle. She gave up one run with three walks and four strikeouts.

Courtney Plocheck and JT Smith each had three hits (double, 2 singles) to pace the Patriots. Michelle Arias added a triple and a single. Audrey Escamilla had two hits. 

Adding hits were Sam Schott and Cassidi Mullen.

Escamilla led UT Tyler with four RBIs. Also knocking in runs were Smith (2), Arias (2), Makayla Garcia (1) and Clarisa Zapata (1).

Scoring runs were Plocheck (3), Smith (3), Arias (2), Schott (1) and Fannin (1).

UT Tyler wins the title in their third year of NCAA D-II.

Patriots named to the all-tournament team were Haygood, Escamilla, Plocheck, Zapata and Arias.