By CHASE UPTON/Sports Editor
Tyler, TEXAS — UT Tyler softball will open its home schedule this weekend with the UT Tyler Classic, a four-day tournament at Irwin Ballpark. The event marks the first home games of the season for the defending back-to-back NCAA Division II national champion Patriots.
Students with a UT Tyler ID get in free. Daily passes are $8 for general admission and can be purchased online here or at the ticket booth at the ballpark entrance (card only). UT Tyler faculty, staff and alumni are admitted free with proper ID.
Coaching Transition
UT Tyler will be led by interim head coach Jason Miller, who takes over as former head coach Mike Reed, the program’s only head coach in school history, has stepped into a full-time administration role. Miller joined the program in summer 2025 after eight years at Grayson College and a year at Oklahoma Baptist.
In an article posted on the UT Tyler Athletics website, Miller said: “My goals really are not any different than what they have been here in the past,” Miller said. “The UT Tyler way that Coach Reed has developed here has proven to work. We are focused on each day to attack what that day has in store and do it the UT Tyler way. We want to put that type of effort and attention into what we do and make everybody that has come before us proud.”
Miller has led Grayson College to multiple NJCAA World Series appearances and helped guide Oklahoma Baptist to its first-ever GAC Championship appearance.
What to Watch:
Energy: First home games bring intensity for players and fans.
Depth and pitching: Multi-day tournaments test roster flexibility.
Three-peat attempt: Can UT Tyler sustain its championship standard under a new head coach?
The Details:
Dates: Friday, Feb.6 – Monday, Feb. 9
Location: UT Tyler Softball Field at Irwin Ballpark
Teams: No. 1 UT Tyler, (RV) Hillsdale College, Northeastern State University, New Mexico Highlands University
Schedule :
Day One – Friday, Feb. 6
3:30 p.m.: UT Tyler vs. Hillsdale College
Day Two – Saturday, Feb. 7
10 a.m.: Hillsdale College vs. Northeastern State University
12:30 p.m.: UT Tyler vs. Hillsdale College
3 p.m.: UT Tyler vs. Northeastern State University
Day Three – Sunday, Feb. 8
9 a.m.: Northeastern State University vs. Hillsdale College
11:30 a.m.: New Mexico Highlands University vs. Hillsdale College
2 p.m.: UT Tyler vs. Northeastern State University
Day Four – Monday, Feb. 9
11 a.m.: UT Tyler vs. New Mexico Highlands University
1:15 p.m.: UT Tyler vs. New Mexico Highlands University
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