Belton, TX – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor baseball team could not take advantage of an outstanding pitching performance from Kreece Cooper as the Cru lost a 1-0 decision to U.T.-Tyler Friday afternoon in Belton. The loss drops UMHB to 2-4 on the season. The Patriots move to 6-2 on the year with the victory.

U.T.-Tyler scored the game's only run in the top of the third inning. Chris Back led off with a walk and then stole second. He moved to third on a groundout and scored on Cayden Cunniff's sacrifice fly. UMHB would have scoring chances in the sixth and ninth innings, but could not advance base runners past second base.

Cooper threw a complete-game, four-hitter for UMHB but fell to 0-1 on the year. He struck out eight and walked three. Will Stafford had two of the Cru's four hits in the loss. Chance Cotton (2-1) scattered four hits and struck out 11 in a complete-game shutout for the Patriots. Cunniff had two of U.T.-Tyler's four hits in the game. 

The two teams will close out the series with a 1:00 PM doubleheader tomorrow at Red Murff Field. The Cru will then return to action with the first road series of the year next weekend at LeTourneau.