Eagles win first game of twin bill
A&M-Texarkana defeats Texas College, 6-3
Texas A&M University-Texarkana overcame Texas College, 6-3, in Game 1 of a doubleheader Tuesday at George Dobson Field at Spring Lake Park.
Wyatt Miller’s ball placement on a single in the bottom of the sixth served as the straw that broke the Steers’ back as the single brought home Cole Beckham and Chase Beebe, stretching the Eagles’ lead out to three and halting the Steers’ momentum.
The Eagles (20-16) kept the Texas College off the scoreboard in the first inning, switching to offense after twelve pitches and three outs.
“Quite honestly I didn’t think we played very well,” said A&M-Texarkana coach Steve Jones. “We didn’t play with a lot of energy. Our guys didn’t do a very good job of adjusting pitching wise. Guys were dragging a little bit. We played the game fine but we’re capable of better. We just got to swing it better. We are going to put new blood out there [for the second game] and keep playing defense and pitch it, and hopefully swing the bat a little better.”
Texarkana’s first two at-bats were unable to make it on base, but Cameron Frost made up for the two quick outs with a solo home run to right field two put the Eagles on top 1-0.
Texas College’s Emerson Shelvin was walked at the start
of the second frame. Shelvin made his way to third after a single to right field by Daniel Garcia and a stolen base, but progressed no further as the Eagles collected their two remaining outs.
Ethan Davis opened the bottom of the second inning with a line drive double out to left field. Chase Beebe smashed a single up the middle to bring Davis home to give Texarkana a 2-0 lead.
The Steers’ Cameron Phelts cranked one up the left side on a full count to get on base to start the third inning. Phelts efforts were complemented by a double from Kyle Smith right up the middle to put the Steers on the board 2-1.
Beckham hit a solo home run out left field to answer back for the Eagles, increasing their margin to two.
Texas College was held back in the fourth as Texarkana Pitcher Neiko Martinez threw two strikeouts and the Eagles made a play at first for three outs.
Beebe got on base for Texarkana with a bullet to left field. Bronson Butcher followed with a single, which, after a wild pitch, allowed Beebe to tack on another run for the Eagles to make the score 4-1 after four.
The Steers found another run in the top of the fifth inning when Brayden Rawlinson hit a triple to right field that allowed Phelps, who made his way on base after a single to start the inning, to cut the deficit for the Steers to 4-2.
Texarkana was prevented from increasing its lead in the bottom of fifth as the Steers made quick work on defense with a double-play on the Eagles’ first two batters and a routine throw to first base on another.
After two outs to begin the sixth frame, Kam Butler connected with the ball for a single. Phelts, with a two-two count, smacked the ball over the top of second base, got on base and also giving Butler the opportunity to dart across home plate; dulling the Eagle lead 4-3.
After the Eagles scored their two key runs in the sixth Texas College took the field for the last time. Caleb Baker threw three Ks as pitcher for Texarkana to end the contest 6-3.
Even with the win, Coach Steve Jones recognized his teams potential for improvement. Texas College 001 011 0 — 3 9 3 A&M-Texarkana 111 102 x — 6 7 1
Jonny Davis, Cordero (3), Kiwa Pecararo (4), Gerry Davis (6), David Ortiz (6) and Daniel Garcia. Caleb Dunn, Neiko Martinez (4), Taylor McMackin (6), Caleb Baker (7) and Brunson Butcher. HR: A&M-Texarkana-Cameron Frost, 1st, none on; Cole Beckham, 3rd, none on.