Eagles Take Three of Four in Hard-Fought Series Against Friends University

HOOKS, Texas- The Texas A&M University-Texarkana Baseball team hosted the Falcons of Friends University (KS) for a four-game non-conference series this weekend. Due to poor field conditions on the Eagles' home field, George Dobson, the two teams faced off on a local turf field, home to the Hooks Hornets. Heading into this matchup, both teams were undefeated, A&M-Texarkana, 4-0, and Friends, 2-0. 

Game 1: Eagles 9, Falcons 4

The Eagles opened the series with a commanding 9-4 victory over the Falcons. TAMUT took control early, plating three runs in the third inning off a home run by Jose Parreno—his second of the season—and never looked back. The Falcons briefly tied the game at 4 with a homer of their own in the top of the fifth, but Austin Kerns quickly responded with a two-run shot to put the Eagles back in front, 6-4. Parreno led the offense with a dominant performance, going 3-for-3 with five RBIs.

Game 2: TAMUT 7, Friends 6
Texas A&M-Texarkana edged out Friends University in a back-and-forth battle, securing a 7-6 victory. After falling behind 5-1 in the third inning, the Eagles mounted a comeback with a three-run seventh inning. Austin Kerns delivered the game-winning hit, driving in four runs overall, while Jason Armendariz added two RBIs. Pitcher Dylan Cabral went the distance, striking out nine batters over seven innings to earn the win.

Game 3: Friends 2, TAMUT 1
In a low-scoring pitchers' duel, Friends University held off the Eagles for a 2-1 victory, handing TAMUT its first loss of the season. Friends took the lead with solo runs in the fourth and seventh innings, while Texas A&M-Texarkana managed just four hits. The Eagles' lone run came on a double by Rian Cellers, but Friends' pitcher Francisco Moscoso dominated, striking out nine in a complete-game effort.

Game 4: TAMUT 6, Friends 5
The Eagles bounced back in the series finale with a tight 6-5 win. TAMUT built a 6-0 lead by the fifth inning, highlighted by a three-run homer from Rian Cellers. Friends University rallied with a five-run seventh inning, including a grand slam by Carlos Rodriguez, but the Eagles held on. H. Barnett earned the win with 4.2 scoreless innings, while Dustin Niles picked up the save.

Up Next
Baseball now sits 7-1 on the season. The Eagles return to action next weekend with a pair of games in Dallas against Dallas Christian College and Schreiner University. Game one is scheduled for 9 a.m., followed by the second matchup at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8.