HOUSTON, Texas – The Arkansas Tech baseball team opened their 2026 season at the Houston Invitational against (rv) Ashland on Friday and were upended in the late innings, falling by a score of 9-6.
Ashland got on the board first with a run in the top of the second inning, but the Wonder Boys responded with a run of their own in the bottom half.
Kirby Jenkins got things going in the frame by drawing a one-out walk. He then stole second and ended up on third on an error by the Ashland second baseman on the throw down trying to cut down Jenkins.
Jenkins was then driven in by
Weston Johnston, who singled to right field.
The Wonder Boys would then score three runs in the third to go up 4-1.
Tyler Sardelli got things started with a one-out hit-by-pitch.
Cole Dawson and
Braden Watkins then drew walks to load the bases.
Brendyn Bard made it three-straight walks to force in Sardelli for the first run of the frame. After the second out was made, Johnston hit a two-run single up the middle to score Dawson and Watkins.
Tech added a run in the fourth on a RBI single from
Drew Vega and pushed their lead to 6-1 with a run in the bottom of the sixth on a RBI single from Jenkins.
Unfortunately, Ashland would work their way back into the game in the top of the eighth and scored four runs to cut the Tech lead down to a run, 6-5. The Eagles would only get one hit in the inning as they benefited greatly from six walks issued.
The Wonder Boys were unable to add any insurance runs in their half of the eighth, keeping it a one-run game heading into the ninth.
In that top of the ninth, the Wonder Boys retired the first two batters of the inning on popup along the infield. The 27
th and potential final out proved to be elusive as the Eagles would load the bases on an infield single and a pair of walks. They then took advantage of the extra opportunities and hit a grand slam flip the score in their favor, 9-6.
The Wonder Boys would be retired in order in the bottom of the ninth as Ashland completed the comeback.
Tech will now prepare for their next game against (rv) Rollins on Saturday evening. First-pitch for the game is scheduled for 5 p.m. from Daikin Park in Houston.
