Eagles defeat visiting Rams

McGhee, Herrera rack up 9 strikeouts

Timely pitching and hitting will get the job done on the diamond every time.

Texas A&M University-Texarkana (15-4, 4-0) defeated Hutson-Tillotson (4-13, 1-3) at George Dobson Field in the first game of a three-game homestand, 3-1.

Eagles ace Nate McGhee started on the bump, but made an early exit due to a line drive to the pitcher’s mound. McGhee gave up no runs and struck out four in 2 1/3 innings of work.

Mike Herrera entered in relief for A&M-Texarkana in the middle of the third to steer the Eagles to victory. Herrera pitched 5 2/3 innings and gave up no runs and finished with five strikeouts.

“Mike came in and pitched a great game for us,” A&M-Texarkana head coach Steve Jones said. “We have to get more aggressive in all facets of the game and it’s a work in progress right now.”

The Eagles took solid control of the momentum when Bronson Butcher hit a first-pitch home run over the left field wall to give A&MTexarkana a comfortable 3-0 lead.

Butcher finished his day going 2 for 4 with an RBI for the Eagles.

“We have to start getting out lead off guys on,” Jones said. “Everything we do is with one or two outs. We have to do a better job of starting the game and starting each innings. It will come but that’s something we’re going to focus on going forward.”

Joe Pearlman added a positive showing at the plate for A&MTexarkana, finishing 2 for 2 with a double and a RBI.

Hutson-Tilloston scored their lone run on a sacrifice fly ball in the middle of the ninth inning.

The Eagles and Rams will play a doubleheader at George Dobson Field, with the first pitch beginning at 1 p.m.