BASEBALL: UT Tyler defeats LeTourneau 7-2

LONGVIEW -- The Texas-Tyler Patriots scored four unanswered runs in the last two innings of Friday's contest to defeat the LeTourneau YellowJackets 7-2.

At LeTourneau's Conrad-Vernon Field, Issac Tijerina cleared the bases with a single that scored three runs, giving the Patriots their final margin of victory.

Travis Norris started and pitched 7 1/3 innings for the YellowJackets, giving up four earned runs and striking out three batters. After giving up three runs over the first three innings, Norris (pictured) found his groove, retiring 14 out of 15 batters faced at one point.

UT Tyler (26-8) got six innings out of Jack Barkley, who scattered six hits and improved his season record to 9-0.

LeTourneau freshman Matt Leftwich knocked his first collegiate home run to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning and cut UT Tyler's lead to 3-1. Nate Tomaszewski cut the lead to 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh with a sacrifice fly that scored Chuck Daugherty.

Caleb Pritchett went 2-for-3 with a double for the YellowJackets.

LeTourneau (13-19) fell to 7-9 in ASC East play, a half-game behind East Texas Baptist for the fourth and final playoff spot out of the division.

The Jackets and Patriots reconvene Saturday for LeTourneau's final home doubleheader of the season. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m., and will follow LeTourneau's Senior Day festivities.