Wiley rallies from nine down to beat Eagles in extra innings
A&M-Texarkana and Wiley University combined for 21 runs in a wild non-conference game Tuesday at Airport Park in a contest that saw the Eagles jump out to a 10-1 lead before Wiley scored nine runs in the ninth to force extra innings, where the hosts would go on to win, 11-10.
MARSHALL — A&M-Texarkana and Wiley University combined for 21 runs in a wild non-conference game Tuesday at Airport Park in a contest that saw the Eagles jump out to a 10-1 lead before Wiley scored nine runs in the ninth to force extra innings, where the hosts would go on to win, 11-10.
The Eagles (14-18 overall) had 13 hits and four players with at least two hits. Bobby Velasco led the team with three hits while driving in a pair of runs and Brandon Riley hit a three-run homer for one of his two hits. TJ Hughes and Adam Garren also collected multiple hits.
TAMUT used a total of 12 pitchers in a scheduled bullpen game for the Eagles, with only starter Dustin Niles getting more than one inning of work. Niles allowed just one run and struck out two during his scoreless stint on the mound. The first eight pitchers combined to allow just four hits and one run during eight complete innings of work. While the pitching shut down Wiley, the Eagles put up a run in the third, two more in the fourth, one in the sixth, two in the eighth, and four in the ninth.
In the final inning, however, the trend reversed, as Wiley (18-14 overall) scored nine runs to force extra innings. Wiley had six hits, drew three walks, reached on a hit batter, stole a base, and hit a home run during its rally.
While the Eagles' lone baserunner in the 10th inning was gunned down attempting to steal second, Wiley reached on a walk, stole a base, moved the runner to third on a sac bunt, then scored the game-winner on a wild pitch. Anthony Galindo (1-3) took the loss after giving up the run in the 10th.