Sauget, Ill. – After winning their first three games of the NCAA Division III Central Regional, Rhodes College baseball concluded their season with two losses to the University of Texas-Tyler (UTT) Monday afternoon. The Lynx fell 2-0 and led 4-1 before the Patriots plated four runs in the bottom of the ninth to earn the walk-off victory and end Rhodes' historic season.
 
In game one, Texas-Tyler had the bases loaded and one out, Josh Burns bunted down the third base line as Rhodes senior Zac Lange very strategically let the ball roll foul, ultimately allowing the Lynx to roll a 4-6-3 GDP to get out of the jam.
 
After a scoreless five innings, UTT took the lead after a solo home run to right field in the top of the sixth. Rhodes began to gain momentum in the bottom half of the inning with runners on first and second with one out until a double play erased any scoring chances for the Lynx. UTT then went up 2-0 after a leadoff double in the seventh and held on for the victory.
 
UTT earned the only shutout of the regional to force the winner-take-all game.
 
In game two, Palermo hit a deep ball which landed on the left field line for a stand-up double with one out in the top of the second and advanced to third after Nick Bosma doubled to right center. Zach Liebenson's grounded out to the shortstop for the first RBI of the game before designated hitter Jake Stacy hit up the middle which scored Bosma to give Rhodes a 2-0 lead.
 
Palermo stole away a base hit from Texas-Tyler first baseman Alex Bishop's line drive right above Palermo's head to sit the first Patriot down in the bottom of the second before Rhodes turned a double play to end the inning.
 
Texas-Tyler turned a tough double play to erase a Lynx bases loaded situation with only one out. Giacomazzi returned the favor and laid out in left center to make the diving catch to end the fourth inning after the Patriots had two runners on.
 
Rhodes thought they had the bases loaded with zero outs after Lange hit into a fielder's choice until the umpires convened and overturned the call, claiming John was out at third base. Giacomazzi was then caught stealing and UTT then got out of the controversial inning with a strikeout.
 
The Patriots finally got on the scoreboard on an RBI-single to left field. UTT tried to tie the game on the same hit, but John's throw to Telli was well in time, allowing the catcher to tag the last out several feet down the line.
 
The Lynx earned that run back when Giacomazzi hit for an RBI-single to score Liebenson in the top of the seventh. Palermo revved up the Lynx fans with a long ball down the right field line to give Rhodes a 4-1 lead, but the Patriots rallied back with four runs in the bottom of the ninth to win the Central Regional Championship.
 
Rhodes concludes their 2018 campaign with a 32-16 record while Texas-Tyler improves to 35-17 as they advance to the NCAA Division III College World Series in Appleton, Wis.
 
After the medal ceremony, the all-tournament team was announced, and representing the Lynx were catcher Jacob Telli, shortstop Will Heurtin, center fielder Paul Giacomazzi, and utility player Nick Bosma.
 
Bosma's 16 saves on the year is third highest in the history of the NCAA Division III pitchers. During the 2018 season, Rhodes achieved a program-best 15 conference wins, earned the most postseason wins in NCAA history, going 3-2 in the Central Regional.