Baseball Holds On for 12-10 Victory Over Wiley
MARSHALL, Texas – The Texas A&M University–Texarkana baseball team built a commanding lead and withstood a late rally to secure a 12-10 non-conference victory over Wiley University Tuesday afternoon at Coker Field.
The Eagles struck first in the third inning, capitalizing on a Wiley error before Michael Caputo was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to bring home the game's opening run.
TAMUT added two more in the fourth as James Provencio delivered a clutch two-out single through the left side, scoring Ahmar Donatto and Landon West to push the lead to 3-0.
After Wiley trimmed the margin to 3-2 with runs in the fourth and fifth, the Eagles erupted for five runs in the sixth to take firm control. Tobin Jones ignited the surge with a two-run home run to left center, scoring Donatto. Later in the inning, Provencio struck again with an RBI single that plated two more, and Austin Kerns followed with a sacrifice fly to extend the advantage to 8-2.
TAMUT continued to apply pressure in the seventh. Provencio drew a bases-loaded walk to score Donatto, Kerns added another sacrifice fly, and a balk brought home an additional run as the Eagles stretched the lead to 11-2.
After a scoreless eighth, the Eagles tacked on an insurance run in the ninth when Austin O'Malley worked a bases-loaded walk to make it 12-2.
Wiley mounted a furious rally in the bottom of the ninth, plating eight runs highlighted by a three-run homer from Devin Gladney, but the Eagles recorded the final out to secure the 12-10 win.
Provencio paced the offense with four RBIs, finishing 2-for-4 with a walk and multiple key two-out hits. Jones added a two-run homer and drove in two, while Kerns collected two RBIs via sacrifice flies. Donatto scored three runs and reached base five times, and West crossed the plate three times in the victory.
On the mound, Jeb Drewery earned the win in relief, tossing a scoreless inning with two strikeouts. The Eagles utilized 12 pitchers in the contest, combining for nine strikeouts to hold off the Wildcats despite the late push.
The win moves TAMUT to 12-12 overall and 3-3 in conference play.
The Eagles return to action this weekend as they continue Red River Athletic Conference competition.
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