Patriots Strike First in Cary, Defeat Central Missouri 8-3 in College World Series Opener

By CHASE UPTON/Sports Editor

CARY, North Carolina — One year after arriving in Cary as newcomers to Division II baseball’s biggest stage, the UT Tyler Patriots looked every bit like a team ready to stay for the long haul.

Behind eight dominant innings on the mound from senior Dylan Blomquist and an explosive first inning highlighted by a three-run home run from Lone Star Conference Player of the Year Cole Ketzner, fifth-seeded UT Tyler rolled past fourth-seeded Central Missouri 8-3 Friday afternoon in the opening game of the NCAA Division II College World Series at the USA Baseball National Training Complex.

The victory improved the Patriots to 49-12 on the season, tying the program record for wins set by last year’s College World Series team.

UT Tyler will now have an opportunity to become the first team in program history to reach the 50-win mark when it faces top-seeded West Chester University (45-10) at 5 p.m. CST Sunday in the winners bracket.

For head coach Brent Porche, getting the first win in a double-elimination tournament was critical.

“Winning the first one’s big,” Porche said. “We came in looking at this one like that Game 3 in the supers, like it’s must-win.”

The Patriots wasted little time backing up that mindset.

After Connor Clark and Brock Bearden drew back-to-back walks to open the game, Ketzner jumped on a pitch and sent it 433 feet out to left-field for a three-run homer, putting UT Tyler in control before the Mules even got a chance to bat.

The Patriots weren’t finished.

Drew Schmidt followed with a bunt single and later scored from third when a throw attempting to catch Luke Smith stealing second sailed into the outfield, giving UT Tyler a 4-0 lead after one frame.

That early cushion proved to be more than enough for Blomquist.

Making his first career College World Series start after not playing in last year’s trip to Cary because of injury, the veteran left-hander turned in one of the best outings of his career on one of the biggest stages in college baseball.

Blomquist scattered seven hits across eight shutout innings while repeatedly working out of traffic and keeping one of Division II’s most balanced offenses off the scoreboard.

The performance continued a remarkable postseason run for the vet, who also threw the Patriots’ first nine-inning complete game since 2020 during the South Central Regional against Angelo State to help send UT Tyler to the Super Regional round.

After the game, Blomquist reflected on finally getting his opportunity in Cary.

“It’s pretty special,” Blomquist said. “Such a blessing to have a healthy year and to be able to start here in Game 1, which wasn’t really what I expected, but coach said I was the best matchup and that just instilled so much confidence in me.”

While Blomquist controlled the game from the mound, the Patriots continued to add insurance on the offensive side.

Kaston Mason drove in a run with a fifth-inning double before another Central Missouri defensive miscue scored Mason and helped UT Tyler extend the lead to 6-0.

The Patriots added two more runs in the eighth when Connor Clark launched a two-run homer to left-center field, scoring Spencer Simpson and pushing the advantage to 8-0.

Central Missouri finally broke through in the bottom of the ninth.

After eight scoreless innings and 118 pitches from Blomquist, the Patriots turned to the bullpen to close things out in the ninth.

Three walks and a hit batter loaded the bases before the Mules finally broke through for three runs and briefly brought life back into their dugout.

Porche then turned to closer Garrett Landry, who entered with the tying run on deck and stopped the threat when Grant Hollister roped one to Bryce Jewell who then stepped on first for the game-ending double play.

Despite the late rally, the story of the afternoon remained UT Tyler’s dominance.

The Patriots outscored Central Missouri 8-0 through the first eight innings and looked every bit like a team capable of making a deep run through the winners bracket.

Perhaps just as important, UT Tyler emerged from the opener with its pitching staff largely intact.

Blomquist absorbed eight innings of work, allowing Porche to preserve several of the Patriots’ most important arms heading into Sunday’s matchup.

In a tournament where pitching depth often determines who is still playing at the end of the week, the Patriots gained an early advantage over much of the remaining field.

UT Tyler has now won 31 of its last 35 games dating back to mid-March and continues to build momentum after its dramatic postseason run through the South Central Regional and Super Regional rounds.

For a clubhouse featuring 21 returners from last season’s College World Series team, Friday’s victory represented another step toward the goal that has fueled the team throughout this season.

Last season’s Patriots arrived in Cary hoping to prove they belonged.

This year’s group arrived expecting to win.

With one win down, the Patriots are now two victories away from playing for a national championship.