LUBBOCK, Texas - An eight-run second inning for UT Tyler kicked off an offensive outburst, as the Patriots knocked off LCU in seven innings in game one of their series on Friday, Feb. 17.

It was Lubbock Christian (5-4, 5-4 LSC) who actually struck first, as a Chris Shull RBI single scored Eduardo Acosta in the bottom of the first inning to give the Chaps a 1-0 advantage. UT Tyler (7-2, 7-2 LSC) answered with authority in the top of the second, beginning with an Ethan Bedgood leadoff triple, who later came around to score after an Aidan Minjares single to tie the game at one run apiece. The Patriots took the lead and extended it with back-to-back RBI singles from Edward Ortiz and Carson Cox, going ahead 3-1. With the bases loaded later in the inning, Jordan Gochenour drew a walk to score Cox, before Austin Ochoa blew the game wide open with a grand slam to left field, and the Pats ended the frame with an 8-1 advantage.

Lubbock Christian began chipping away at the deficit in the bottom of the second, as an RBI single from Caden Hensley scored Jarred Gibson. A solo shot from Shull scored another run in the bottom of the third inning, and the Chaparrals found themselves down 8-3 after three innings.

UT Tyler answered in the top of the fourth inning, as a Tommy van de Sanden RBI single scored Ochoa to push the Patriots up 9-3. LCU scored for the fourth straight inning, as Brevin McCool hit his first home run of the season to right center field, another solo shot for the Chaps to stay within striking distance, down 9-4. 

The Patriots continued to score at will, as an RBI single by Tres Thomas scored Cox in the top of the fifth inning to push the lead to 10-4 for UT Tyler. Cox picked up an RBI of his own, as his RBI double in the top of the sixth brought home Kaston Mason and the Pats pulled ahead 11-4. A two-RBI single down the right field line from Gochenour scored Cox and Minjares, and Thomas added another run to the rout after an Ochoa RBI single brought him home to swell the UT Tyler bulge to 14-4.

UT Tyler added some insurance in the top of the seventh, as Lane Hutchinson drilled a home run over the left field wall to put the Pats up 15-4. An RBI single from Edward Ortiz brought Brandon Jewell home, and a Thomas RBI double scored Minjares to extend the lead to 17-4. Nate Van Maanen tried to keep the Chaps alive with a two-out double in the bottom of the seventh inning, but a flyout ended the contest and UT Tyler took home the 17-4 mercy rule victory. 

The 17 runs are the most allowed by the Chaps this season, and the most since St. Edward's scored 20 runs in the LSC Quarterfinal matchup last season. It is also the most runs that the Patriots have scored in a game against LCU. UT Tyler knocked off the Chaps 14-3 in their first meeting on Mar. 6, 2020.

Ochoa led the Patriots, going 3-for-5 with five RBI and two runs scored. Cox also had a good day at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two RBI and three runs. Shull paced the Chaps on offense, going 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and a run scored.

Nick Niebur (2-0) earned the win, going five innings, allowing four runs off six hits and striking out two.

Marcos Escalera (0-1) was handed the loss, going 4.2 innings, allowing 10 runs, nine of those being earned, off seven hits, walking four batters and striking out five. Connor Rowe went an inning in relief, allowing four runs off five hits, walking three and striking out two. Stoney Rhodes closed out the game, going 1.1 innings, allowing three runs off five hits.

The Chaps will look to regroup and stay alive in the series, facing UT Tyler in a pair of seven-inning games on Saturday, Feb. 18. First pitch for game one is set for 1:00 PM. Fans can purchase tickets at lcuchaps.com