The 2026 season has begun, and TCJ Eagles Baseball started with likely their toughest opponent on this season's schedule. The Eagles led NCAA Division 2 Edward Waters University for four innings, but a ninth-inning rally for the EWU Tigers gave them the win at 8-3.

Traling 1-0 as they came to bat in the botton of the third, the Eagles rallied for three runs after starting the inning with two quick outs before loading the bases. Logan McGann walked to start the rally. Gavin Williams then singled to left, and Larson Lott walked to bring up junior Gadriel Burgos. 

Ahead in the count, Burgos laced a line drive single into center. All three runners scored to give the Eagles a 3-1 lead that they held until the seventh. 

[Gadriel Burgos: 1 for 3, BB, 3 RBI in Friday's season opener.]

Senior Jacob Brigman, fresh off his All-American 2025 season, started and pitched solid baseball for six innings. Brigman allowed just 2 runs, 1 earned, on 5 hits while walking 3 and striking out 4. Andrew Mohler, Drayton Black, and Malachi Morgan all saw action in relief. 

The Tigers got single runs in the third and fourth innings before tying the score at 3-3 on a solo home run from Dannon Smith. A ninth-inning home run from Louis Rodriguez broke the tie, and EWU added four more from there.

The two teams will move downtown for a double-header on Saturday beginning at 1:00 p.m. at historic J.P. Small Memorial Park. The Eagles will then play two consecutive weekend series against South Region opponents: rival Bob Jones University on February 6 and 7 and newcomer Baptist University of Florida on February 13 and 14. The NCCAA Division 2 National Invitational Tournament follows from February 19-21 in Arlington, Texas.