Baseball Drops Weekend Series to Texas A&M–Victoria

TEXARKANA, Texas – The Texas A&M University–Texarkana baseball team battled throughout a three-game Red River Athletic Conference series against Texas A&M–Victoria this weekend at George Dobson Field.

The Eagles opened the series Thursday afternoon, jumping out to an early lead before the Jaguars rallied late to claim an 11–5 victory.

TAMUT struck first in the opening inning when Ahmar Donatto delivered a two-RBI single to left field, bringing home Austin Kerns and James Provencio to give the Eagles a 2–1 lead.

Texas A&M–Victoria answered with a run in the third and added another in the fifth before extending the margin with a two-run seventh inning to move ahead 5–2. Tobin Jones provided a spark for the Eagles with a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh, and Jayce Blalock followed with a solo shot in the eighth to keep TAMUT within striking distance. Despite the late push, the Jaguars pulled away with six runs over the final two innings to secure the opener.

Provencio led the Eagles offensively in game one with a 4-for-5 performance at the plate, while Donatto collected two hits and two RBIs. Blalock and Jones each added home runs in the effort.

In game one of Friday's doubleheader, the Eagles stayed within reach early but could not overcome a big second inning by the Jaguars, falling 9–4.

Blalock again paced the Eagles early, launching a two-run home run in the bottom of the first to tie the game at 2–2 after James Provencio reached on a single. However, Texas A&M–Victoria responded in the second inning, capitalizing on several walks before Garrett Smith connected on a grand slam to push the Jaguars ahead 7–2.

Colton Wombles added an RBI single in the fourth inning to score Blalock, and Donatto later delivered an RBI single in the seventh to bring home Michael Caputo. Blalock finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs, while Wombles added two hits for TAMUT.

The Eagles wrapped up the series Friday afternoon but were unable to contain the Jaguars' offense in a 16–6 decision.

Texas A&M–Victoria jumped out to an early 6–0 advantage before the Eagles answered in the third inning when Blalock crushed a three-run home run to center field, scoring Donatto and Provencio.

The Jaguars extended their lead throughout the middle innings, but TAMUT continued to battle at the plate. Blalock added his second home run of the game in the fifth, and Tanner Duncan delivered a two-run homer in the sixth to score Brandon Sheets. Blalock finished 2-for-5 with four RBIs, while Duncan recorded two hits and two RBIs.

Austin Kerns added two hits in the contest, while Provencio and Donatto each collected hits as the Eagles tallied 12 total hits in the finale.

Texas A&M–Texarkana now sits at 12–14 overall and 3–5 in Red River Athletic Conference play following the series.

The Eagles will look to bounce back as they host Champion Christian for a non-conference matchup on Tuesday, March 10th, with first pitch at 2 p.m.

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