HOUSTON, Texas — The Arkansas Tech baseball team opening up their 2025 season at Daikin Park, the home of the Houston Astros, on Friday afternoon and fell to (rv) Jefferson by a score of 6-5.
The Wonder Boys, who were playing as the away team in the contest, were the first to crack the scoreboard, doing so in the top of the first. Sawyer Duddleston got things going with a leadoff single through the left side. He was then moved to second on a groundout to second base and then stole third to set up the RBI sacrifice fly off the bat of Christian Olea.
After being held scoreless in their first trips to the plate, Jefferson got some two-out magic in the bottom of the second and scored three runs on three hits, all with two outs, to take a 3-1 lead. They came back in the third and added a pair of unearned runs to stake themselves to a 5-1 lead.
That score held until the bottom of the fifth when Jefferson tacked on another run to push their lead out to 6-1.
The Wonder Boys responded with a pair of runs in the next half inning to pull within three runs, 6-3. Tyler Sardelli led the inning off with a single through the right side. One batter later, he stole second to move into scoring position. Joe Kinneberg then singled through the left side to move Sardelli to third with one out. During the next at-bat Kinneberg swiped second on what was a called strike three.
Kirby Jenkins then drove in Sardelli on a single to third base. On that same play, Kinneberg was able to score on an errant throw by the Jefferson third baseman.
That 6-3 score held until the top of the ninth inning when the Wonder Boys put forth their final push. After the first two outs were recorded in the inning, Cole Dawson drew a walk to extend the inning and bring Duddleston to the plate. Duddleston then, with one swing of the bat, pulled Tech within a run, as he belted a two-run home run to left-centerfield.
Jefferson was able to stop the rally there as they recorded the final out in the next at-bat to secure the 6-5 win.
The Wonder Boys will now prepare for a quick turnaround as they will take on No. 18-ranked Ashland on Saturday morning. First-pitch is slated for 10 a.m.