FORT WORTH — Texas Wesleyan University (1-1) split their doubleheader against Texas A&M University-Victoria (1-1) on Thursday at Sycamore Park, winning the first game 5-4 and falling in the second game 9-3.

Game 1: Texas Wesleyan secured a narrow victory over A&M-Victoria in the second game, starting strong in the opening inning. A&M-Victoria took an early lead when A. Benitez scored on J. Purcell's single. However, the Rams responded quickly. Jose Rangel was hit by a pitch and advanced on a walk before Brendon Vela's double brought home two runs. Logan Silvertooth added another RBI with a single, giving the Rams a 3-1 lead after the first inning.

In the fourth inning, the Jaguars narrowed the gap. B. Zimmerman doubled and scored on T. Berger's single, making it 3-2. The Rams' defense held firm, preventing further damage.

The game saw a pivotal shift in the sixth inning. The Jaguars took a brief lead with two runs, thanks to RBI singles from Benitez and Purcell. The Rams quickly reclaimed the advantage in the bottom half. Eric DeAnda singled and was replaced by pinch runner Boston Farris. Idelfonso Garcia's double drove in two runs, both unearned due to an error, putting the Rams up 5-4.

The Rams' pitching staff, with Noah Huerta closing, maintained the lead in a scoreless seventh inning, securing a 5-4 win over the Jaguars.

Mike Pelosi started for the Rams, pitching 3 2/3 innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits while striking out one and walking three. Ty Sansom relieved with a strong performance, striking out two over 1 1/3 innings without giving up a run and allowing just one hit. Jose Casado faced difficulties, conceding two earned runs on two hits and two walks in 2/3 innings of work. Rivera, Jr. secured the win with a brief, efficient 1/3 inning, not allowing any baserunners. Huerta closed the game, earning the save by striking out two and permitting just one hit and one walk over the final inning.

Vela delivered a strong performance, recording two RBIs, one hit, and a double, while also stealing a base. Garcia contributed significantly with two hits, a double, and two RBIs, boosting his OPS to 2.500. Huerta secured the save with one inning pitched, allowing only one hit and striking out two batters.

Game 2: Texas Wesleyan fell to A&M-Victoria in a game marked by early scoring. A&M-Victoria took the lead in the first inning when A. Benitez scored on a wild pitch after reaching third on an error. The Rams responded with two runs in their half of the inning. Jose Rangel scored on a sacrifice fly by Logan Silvertooth, and Jonathan Pena crossed the plate following an RBI single from Eric DeAnda, giving Texas Wesleyan a 2-1 lead.

A&M-Victoria surged ahead in the second, scoring five runs. T. Berger's two-RBI single, followed by a three-run home run from C. Kaiser, pushed the visitors ahead 6-2. Texas Wesleyan was unable to score in their at-bat, leaving them trailing by four.

A&M-Victoria extended their lead in the fourth inning, capitalizing on errors to score three more runs and increase the margin to 9-2. The Rams' defense held firm in the fifth and sixth innings, preventing further scoring from A&M-Victoria.

In the seventh inning, Texas Wesleyan added a run with Conner Leon doubling and scoring on a single by Idelfonso Garcia, but it was not enough to overcome the deficit. A&M-Victoria secured the win with a final score of 9-3.

Samuel Mendez took the mound for the Rams, pitching three innings and allowing seven earned runs on five hits, including a home run, while striking out three and walking four. Michael Stewart provided relief, pitching three innings with two hits allowed and one earned run, while issuing three walks and striking out two. Noah Crews contributed 2/3 of an inning, giving up one hit and one hit batsman with no runs scored. Luka Zakman closed the game with 1/3 of an inning pitched, striking out one and walking one without allowing any hits or runs.

Pena recorded a notable performance with a double, scoring once, and reaching base on a walk. Leon contributed with a pinch-hit double and crossed the plate for a run. DeAnda added to the offense by driving in a run with one hit. Daniel Hernandez also made an impact with a double in his two at-bats.

The Rams third game of the series scheduled for 11 a.m. on Friday has been canceled due to weather. The Rams will return to action on January 30 in a game against Jarvis Christian at Sycamore Park, with game one scheduled to start at noon.