Box Score Daphne, AL - The United States Sports Academy's baseball team kicked off their existence in dominating fashion on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon in Daphne, as the Eagles downed Tougaloo College by a 9-1 score.  A big crowd was on hand to take in the historic first game and the Eagles did not disappoint. After a ceremonial first pitch by Vietnam veteran Jeff Gibbs, USSA wasted little time taking control of the contest. Starting pitcher Victor Tyo worked a perfect first inning, striking out two. The USSA bats came to life immediately in the bottom of the first. Hayden Jones led off with a line drive single for the first hit in program history.  Randy Hernandez followed with a single moving Jones to third. Evan Jacob then knocked in the first run in program history and Dominick Hartman blasted the first ever homerun for a 4-0 Eagles lead. Tyo continued his strong outing on the mound as he went five innings, striking out six without walking a batter and gaining the first pitching win.

The Eagles took a 5-0 lead after two innings as Randy Hernandez singled in Andre Poirrier who had singled earlier in the inning.  USSA added a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth as Hayden Phillips had a RBI fielders choice and Joseph Monaghan provided a RBI single for a 7-1 lead after five innings.  Case Hager entered the game in the 6th in relief of Tyo and worked three shutout innings. USSA wrapped up the scoring as Hayden Jones blasted a two-run homerun in the 8th scoring Chase Jones who reached after being hit by a pitch.

"What a sensational opening day for our program and our players as they really came out to shine," said Eagles Head Coach Mike Neal.  "For our kids to buy into the vision of playing baseball at USSA, and displaying the hard work they put in from the beginning back in September was certainly near the top of mine and our assistant coach Bobby Simpson's coaching careers," added Neal.

The Eagles will play a doubleheader on Sunday in Daphne against Tougaloo to wrap up the three-game opening series.