The UT Tyler Patriots are one win away from a berth in the College World Series.
Rawley Hector and Nick Niebur shutdown the Rams’ offense and the Patriots belted four home runs as UT Tyler defeated Angelo State, 12-3, on Thursday in the first game of the South Central Super Regional in San Angelo.
Game 2 of the NCAA Division II best-of-three series is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday. If a third game is needed, it is slated for 7 p.m. Saturday.
The winner of the series advances to the NCAA Championship Tournament, which is scheduled for May 30 through June 7 in Cary, North Carolina.
Justin Williams (3-run), Drew Schmidt (2-run), Tanner Hornback (solo) and Connor Clark (2-run) all hit home runs to lead the Patriots’ offense.
UT Tyler (47-11) plated three runs in the first inning and Williams blasted a three-run homer in the second for a quick 6-0 lead.
Hector (10-1) started on the mound, going five innings while allowing four hits and two runs (1 earned) with two strikeouts and a walk. Niebur garnered his third save, throwing the final four innings (4 hits, 1 run, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts).
Angelo State (48-9) used six pitchers with starter Alizaeh Gutierrez (5-2) took the loss, throwing 1.1 innings (5 hits, 5 runs, 1 walk, 0 strikeouts).
The Patriots had 16 hits with leadoff hitter Ethan Menard leading the way with three hits. Williams, Schmidt, Hornback, Blake LaBuda and Mason Hammonds each had two hits. Kyle Atkinson, Bryce Jewell and Clark added one hit apiece.
Menard and Atkinson had doubles.
Williams and Hornback each knocked in three runs with two RBIs apiece from Schmidt and Clark. Atkinson and Jewell also drove in runs.
Lane Hutchinson led the Rams with three hits and Justin Harris had two. Austin Beck had a double with singles from Jacob Guerrero and Christian Garnette. Harris had two RBIs.
The game attracted 2,874 fans.