Fenili shines during Eagles' split against USAO

A&M-Texarkana split a pair of game Saturday with Science and Arts of Oklahoma in a non-conference doubleheader at Dobson Field. The Eagles (13-14) took the opener, 5-1, but the visiting Drovers bounced back to take the second, 5-2.

GAME 1 – Eagles 5, USAO 1

Collin Fenili improved to 3-2 with a dominant pitching performance in the opener. The senior pitched all seven innings, striking out seven while scattering four hits and surrendering a single run. Fenili faced just 25 batters in an impressive 93-pitch performance.

Dylan Simmons drove in a pair of runs while Luke Hyzdu and Dakota Leopold each knocked in one and while the Eagles managed just five hits, they took advantage of five errors by the Drovers. Julian Macias walked twice, scored twice, and stole a base.

USAO scored in the opening inning on a passed ball, but Simmons quickly erased that deficit with a two run double in the bottom half of the inning. Hyzdu singled home a run in the second and Macias would later score on an error to make it 4-1 in the second. Macias scored again in the fourth on a balk called against USAO.

GAME 2 – USAO 5, Eagles 2

Masashi Takegama tripled and had three hits, Leopold and Macias each had a pair of hits, but despite outhitting the Drovers, A&M-Texarkana couldn't plate enough runners in the second game. The Eagles were plagued by baserunning errors, which wiped away potential scoring opportunities.

Oscar Sanchez (1-4) took the loss, giving up six hits and four runs over five innings. Nathan Hunter and Saneil Patel each threw an inning in relief.

NEXT UP

The Eagles won't have to leave home for the rest of the month, hosting LSU-Alexandria this weekend for three games and Jarvis Christian next weekend for a three-game series. Game 1 against LSUA is scheduled for 6 pm Friday, with a Saturday doubleheader slated to begin at 1 pm.