Eagles split doubleheader to set up Sunday rubber match with HTU

A&M-Texarkana split Saturday's doubleheader against Huston-Tillotson, setting up a rubber match Sunday with the series on the line. The Eagles dropped the opener, 5-3, then bounced back to take the second contest by an 8-4 score.

Sunday's series finale is scheduled for noon Sunday at Dobson Field. The Eagles are now 17-20 overall and 14-9 in conference play. TAMUT is tied for third in the RRAC standings with LSU-Alexandria, a half-game in front of Louisiana Christian.

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GAME 1

• The Eagles jumped in front with two runs in the third, but the Rams bounced back to cut the deficit in half in the fourth, then took the lead for good with a four-spot in the fifth frame.

• Hunter Reid doubled and drove in a pair of runs, TJ Krause had a double, and the Eagles had seven total hits from seven players.

• Oscar Sanchez (3-5) took the loss, throwing 4.1 innings while giving up six hits, four earned runs and two walks while striking out three.

• Nathan Hunter tossed 2.2 innings of shutout relief, surrendering just one hit and striking out a pair.

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GAME 2

• The visiting Rams jumped out to a 4-0 lead midway thru the game, but the Eagles responded with a three-run fifth, followed by a big five-run sixth inning while holding HTU scoreless over the last four innings.

• The Eagles had four extra-base hits, including doubles by Julian Macias, Krause and Luke Hyzdu, and a triple by Hyzdu. Krause finished with three hits and two RBI, Jonathan Rios drove in a pair of runs and Reid brought home two.

• Dylan Cabral (6-5) got the win after a solid seven-inning start during which he spread out 10 hits, gave up three earned runs and struck out nine. Dustin Niles picked up the save with 1.2 innings of relief, allowing just one hit.