by Jeff Clark

TYLER -- The UT Tyler baseball team defeated Castleton State, 4-1, on Monday afternoon at Irwin Field in the first game of a two game series. The Patriots, who have now won five in a row, improve to 6-1 overall on the season.

The Patriots found themselves down in the third inning when Castleton State's David Brandt hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Matthew Pause to give the Spartans a 1-0 early advantage. 

UT Tyler responded the next inning when Aaron McCain singled, followed by another single courtesy of Will Allen that advanced McCain to third. Hayden Chick then hit into a fielder's choice that scored McCain for the Patriots first run of the game and tied the score at one a piece.

The Patriots scored again in the bottom of the fifth inning when TJ Martin singled, advanced to third on a Billy Lirely single, and scored on an error. Lirely scored soon after, thanks to another Spartan error by the short stop. After five innings, the Patriots were up, 3-1.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Patriots added one more insurance run, thanks in part to another Spartan error. Garrett Nelson reached on an error, moved to second on a Hayden Chick single, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Isaac Tijerina, and finally scored on sacrifice fly by David Ring to bring the score to 4-1. 

Chase Willard was the UT Tyler starter and earned the victory, going seven innings and allowed only three hits and struck out two. Derek Miller finished the game and recorded the save, going two innings and striking out four Spartan batters. 

The Patriots continue their two-game series with Castleton State tomorrow afternoon at 4 p.m. at Irwin Field.