TYLER, Texas -- The Texas Lutheran Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the season in a 7-5 road defeat to No. 11-ranked University of Texas at Tyler, Friday evening at the Patriots' Irwin Field.

TLU (4-1) swept a doubleheader from UT Tyler six days ago, but the Patriots bounced back on their home field. UT Tyler (1-3) jumped on TLU in the first inning with three runs.

The Bulldogs never led in the contest but did close within 3-2 (with a two-run third) and within 7-5 (with a two-run ninth and with the tying run at the plate).

After TLU cut the lead to 3-2, the Patriots answered with three more runs in the bottom of the fourth. Sam Lane cleared the loaded bases with a triple to center field.

Lane went 2-for-4 with a run scored and the three RBI. Billy Lirely added two RBI.

TLU first baseman Derek Kanas (New Braunfels/Canyon) and left-fielder Tyler Carollo (Houston/Waltrip) each went 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Zach Jacobs (Brenham/Brenham)  went 1-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and two RBI. He also stole a pair of bases.

Aaron Aleman (Corpus Christi/Incarnate Word) took the loss and dropped to 1-1. Aleman went 4-1/3, allowed six runs, struck out three and walked one.

Jake Beam went seven innings for UT Tyler. Beam (1-1) struck out three, scattered six hitts and allowed three runs (just one earned).

TLU returns to Irwin Field in Tyler on Saturday for a pair of games against NAIA opponent Louisiana State-Alexandria. the first game begins at 11 a.m.