Eagles softball earns third straight conference split

The A&M-Texarkana Softball team split its third straight conference series Thursday, taking the opening game against Xavier (La.) at Bramlett Field before falling in the finale. The Eagles won by a 5-1 score behind solid pitching and timely hitting, but errors and walks led to a 12-3 Xavier win in the second game, which was called after six innings.

--

GAME 1

Stephanie Chico improved to 6-3 in the circle, throwing a complete game on just 74 pitches and giving up just four hits and a single run. Chico struck out two without walking a batter.

Macey Cutsinger had two hits, scored two runs, stole a base, and drove in a run while Grace Cantu and Karmen Searcy each drove in a pair of runs. The Eagles (14-14, 9-7 RRAC) got doubles from Cutsinger, Searcy, and Madison Dingman.

Cantu opened the scoring in the first on an RBI single, then Searcy followed with a two-run double to give the Eagles a 3-0 lead. In the fifth, Cutsinger singled to score Dingman, then Cantu reached on an error that allowed Cutsinger to score. Xavier scored its only run in the final frame.

--

GAME 2

Alexis Snyder and Nora Fernandez were rocked for 13 hits and 12 runs in the second game as the pair issued seven walks and struck out three. Snyder fell to 4-7 inside the circle after a four-inning start that saw Xavier score eight runs – three earned – for an 8-2 lead. Fernandez finished the final two innings, walking five and allowing four hits and four earned runs.

Dingman reached base three times, stole three bases, and scored two of the Eagles' three runs. Baylee Stautzenberger drove in a pair and Cantu had an RBI.

A passed ball in the first inning led to three runs by the visitors, and another passed ball coupled with an error opened the door for Xavier to add three more in the third. The Gold Nuggets put up four runs in the sixth to close the book.