A&M-Texarkana splits with Friends University

WICHITA, Kan. — Texas A&M University-Texarkana started the 2023 baseball season with a come-from-behind win, and almost did it again in the second game of a Friday doubleheader against Friends University.

GAME 1 TAMU-T 9, FRIENDS U 5

The Eagles (1-1) trailed, 5-4, heading into the sixth inning of the opening game but rallied to score four in the sixth and added another in the seventh to take a 9-5 win.

Masashi Takegama slapped a two-run single in the sixth, and Hunter Reid followed with a two-run homer to left field. Kyle McMullen drove in a pair and Pudge Carlisle drove in an insurance run in the seventh.

Michael Passariello tossed six innings to earn the win, striking out two and surrendering four earned runs. Mason Cirkel pitched the seventh in relief.

A&M-Texarkana took advantage of four errors by the Falcons.

GAME 2 FRIENDS U 6, TAMU-T 5

In the second game, the Eagles fell into a five-run hole in the first frame, then trailed 6-0 entering the final inning.

A&M-Texarkana mounted a last-inning rally thanks to a two-run double from Eric Spencer, an RBI-double from Dylan Simmons and run-scoring singles by Giancarlo Mijares and Shraedon Naeole-Starkey. The rally fell one run short with the Eagles striking out with runners on first and second.

Oscar Sanchez took the loss on the mound, giving up five earned runs in two innings. Frankie Watson tossed 3.2 strong innings of relief, striking out four with one run allowed.

The Eagles are in action again Saturday for another doubleheader against Friends, starting at noon.

TENNIS TAMU-T OPENS SEASON

WITH SWEEP

TYLER, Texas — The 2023 tennis season started with a bang Friday, as the A&M-Texarkana men swept Jacksonville College, 9-0. The women’s matches were canceled due to the hosts’ lack of players.

Five of the six singles matches were won in straight sets, and the Eagles also swept the three doubles contests. The teams are scheduled to compete again Saturday in Sherman against Austin College at 1 pm.

Here are the complete results from the meet:

DOUBLES

• Alejandro Oviedo and Mauricio Trevino Velasco — Won 9-8 (9-7)

• Fernando Martinez and Felipe De la Carrera — Won 8-4

• Andrew Otzenberger and Iker Alonso — Won 8-4

SINGLES

• Alejandro Oviedo — Won 6-2, 6-1

• Mauricio Trevino Velasco — Won 6-4, 7-5

• Andrew Otzenberger — Won 7-6 (8-6), 6-2

• Fernando Martinez — Won 6-2, 6-0

• Felipe De la Carrera — Won 1-6, 6-3, 10-7

• Iker Alonso — Won 6-1, 6-0