Baseball Opens Diamond Bank Invitational With Series Victory

HOOKS, Texas – The Texas A&M University–Texarkana baseball team wrapped up the opening series of the Diamond Bank Invitational with a 2–1 series victory over Crowley's Ridge College, showing depth on the mound and explosive offense across three games at Hooks High School.

Game 1: Texas A&M University–Texarkana 16, Crowley's Ridge College 3

The Eagles opened the series in commanding fashion, scoring in five different innings and riding a strong pitching performance to a 16–3 victory.

TAMUT jumped out to an early lead and never let up, using timely hitting and patience at the plate to build separation throughout the contest. The Eagles totaled 11 hits and drew nine walks. 

On the mound, Matthew Hart and Alejandro Santos III combined to set the tone for the weekend. Hart worked efficiently through his start before Santos shut the door in relief, allowing the Eagles to preserve arms early in a loaded stretch of games.

"I think what Hart and Santos did in game one really set the tone for us," said head coach Chase Brewster. "After last week, it was important for us to be good early on the mound, and they were better than good. With having six games in eight days this week, we need to save arms, and they allowed us to do that."

Offensively, CJ Richard sparked the lineup with four runs scored, while James Provencio and Landon West each drove in three runs. Tanner Duncan added to the momentum with his first home run of the season.

Game 2: Crowley's Ridge College 9, Texas A&M University–Texarkana 2

The middle game of the series proved challenging for the Eagles, as Crowley's Ridge built an early lead and held on for a 9–2 win.

Despite the loss, TAMUT received a strong effort out of the bullpen from Braden McNamee, who helped stabilize the game and keep the Eagles within reach.

"Braden McNamee gave us a chance to win out of the bullpen," Brewster said. "He really kept us in the game. I was proud of him."

The Eagles were unable to generate consistent momentum offensively, something Brewster acknowledged following the contest.

"Baseball is such a strange sport," Brewster said. "We do everything right Sunday night, and twelve hours later we did the opposite on Monday morning. We just couldn't find a way to get momentum, so you have to give credit to Crowley Ridge for that. We have to be able to do a better job of being more consistent in what kind of team we are."

Game 3: Texas A&M University–Texarkana 16, Crowley's Ridge College 5

TAMUT responded with intensity in the series finale, erupting for a 10-run fifth inning to secure a 16–5 victory and clinch the series.

After breaking through with four runs in the third inning, the Eagles delivered the decisive rally in the fifth, highlighted by a bases-loaded double from Jason Armendariz and three home runs from Ahmar Donatto, James Provencio, and CJ Richard.

"We swung it better game three," Brewster said. "Jason Armendariz's bases-loaded double was so huge for us. The three home runs from Donatto, Provencio, and Richard really put the game out of reach, so that was good to see."

On the mound, Freshman Worth McMillen made his first start in nearly two years after injury and delivered a strong outing, setting the stage for the Eagles to take control.

"That was Worth's first start on the mound in almost two years coming off injury, so it was good to see him back on the mound like his old self," Brewster said. "He committed to us almost one year to the day after watching us play to start the season last year, so it was a full circle moment to see him take the field for us this weekend. He was phenomenal, and better than his box score looked. I'm so proud of him."

Texas A&M University–Texarkana returns to action tomorrow, Tuesday, February 3, for the final game of the Diamond Bank Invitational, facing No. 4 nationally ranked Hope International at 11 a.m. at Hooks High School in Hooks, Texas.

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