Eagles split high-scoring doubleheader with LSUA

Saturday's conference doubleheader provided plenty of fireworks as A&M-Texarkana and LSU-Alexandria played to a split of the two games at Dobson Field, setting up a rubber match Sunday afternoon between the teams tied for fourth in the RRAC standings.

Game 1 – LSUA 15, Eagles 12

The hosts took a 10-0 lead on the strength of a nine-run second inning but couldn't hold the lead as the Generals scored seven runs in the fourth, and five in the fifth to take a 12-10 lead. Trailing 14-10, the Eagles managed a pair of runs in the sixth, but it wasn't enough to recover the lead.

The two teams combined for 34 hits in a wild contest, with Julian Macias, Masashi Takegama (two doubles) and Hunter Reid each having three hits. Kyle McMullen and Brandon Riley each had a pair. Five different players drove in two runs for the Eagles.

Colin Fenili (3-3) took the loss while four relief pitchers combined to throw three innings with three strikeouts and four runs.

Game 2 – Eagles 7, LSUA 6 (10 innings)

As if the first game wasn't enough, the second time around was just as exciting with the Eagles rallying from a 4-1 deficit to win in extra innings on Riley's walk-off double. Macias again had three hits, Dakota Leopold had two doubles and Reid had another three-hit day.

Oscar Sanchez started and tossed five innings with four strikeouts, and Gage Mason (3-2) pitched the final five innings in relief, picking up the win while allowing just three hits, no runs and striking out four.

In the 10^th inning, Reid singled to get aboard, Luke Hyzdu singled with an out to advance Cade Melder, who entered as a pinch-runner, then Riley slapped a double to right-center to bring Melder across for the winning run.

NEXT UP

Game 3 begins today at 1 pm, with the winner taking sole possession of fourth place.