West Texas A&M opened the 2026 season with a weekend that showcased both the explosive potential of its offense and the urgent need for improvement on the mound. Facing St. Edward’s in a Lone Star Conference series at Wilder Park, the Buffs claimed a strong opening-night victory before watching the series slip away amid pitching struggles that allowed 27 runs over the final two games.
Friday night belonged to WT. In frigid conditions, the Buffs jumped out early and never let go, building a 7-2 advantage through five innings on the way to a 13-7 win. The offense was balanced and relentless, highlighted by Timothy Haynes’ first home run of the season, a two-run blast down the left-field line that capped a five-run cushion. Jacob Police sparked the lineup with a run-scoring triple and later added another extra-base hit, while Brock Bunker and Daniel Castellanos chipped in RBI doubles. WT also showed patience at the plate, drawing five hit-by-pitches and consistently pressuring the St. Edward’s staff.
On the mound, Cade Griffin delivered a steady season debut. The right-hander worked five innings, allowing three runs on three hits while striking out four to earn his first win of the year. The bullpen bent but held enough for WT to secure the series opener and build early momentum.
That momentum proved fleeting. Saturday’s game turned into a back-and-forth battle that swung late. Police led the Buffs offensively with a three-hit performance and two RBIs, while Haynes and Zac Rackham each drove in key runs. Still, St. Edward’s scratched across a pair of runs in the top of the ninth inning to escape with a 10-9 win. WT pitching issued costly walks throughout the afternoon, and despite holding the Hilltoppers to nine hits, the Buffs could not deliver a shutdown inning when it mattered most.
Sunday’s finale was the most painful lesson of the weekend. WT appeared to have the game well in hand, racing out to a 12-1 lead entering the sixth inning. Then the floodgates opened. St. Edward’s erupted for 16 runs over the final four frames, fueled by multiple home runs and relentless contact. What once looked like a comfortable Buffs win turned into a stunning 17-13 loss.
Castellanos did everything he could to keep WT afloat, finishing 4-for-6 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Police also continued his strong weekend, crossing the plate multiple times. But the pitching staff could not stop the bleeding. WT cycled through seven pitchers, and St. Edward’s capitalized on nearly every mistake, scoring seven runs after the seventh inning alone to seal the comeback.
The two losses leave West Texas A&M at 1-2 heading into a road series against UT Dallas this weekend in Richardson. The Buffs have already shown they can score in bunches, piling up runs against quality competition. Now the focus shifts to tightening up command and finding reliable innings on the mound. If WT can pair its potent offense with more consistent pitching, opening weekend may still serve as a valuable early-season wake-up call rather than a defining setback.
