Feb. 14, 2009

Final Stats

Texas A&M International University recorded a come-from-behind 7-3 win over Oklahoma Panhandle State in Heartland Conference action on Saturday afternoon at Dustdevil Field. The win concludes a three-game sweep for the Dustdevils over the Aggies.

TAMIU (5-4, 4-2 Heartland) took an early 2-0 lead on unearned runs in the first and third innings. OPSU (1-10, 0-7) sent seven batters to the plate in the fifth inning, scoring three runs on three hits off of TAMIU starter James Santillan.

The Aggie lead would not last long, however, with freshman Zeke Sosa delivering a big hit in the bottom of the fifth. Sosa came up with the bases loaded and drove a long single to the left field wall, driving in Rey Alvarez and José Sánchez Jr. and pushing the Dustdevils to a 4-3 lead.

John Gonzáles relieved Santillan in the top of the sixth inning and contributed four innings of scoreless work to record his first save of the season. He allowed only one hit, a ninth inning lead-off single, and struck out six batters with two walks. Santillan (1-1) recorded his first career win after allowing three runs on three hits in 5.0 innings of work.

The Dustdevil offense added insurance runs in the sixth and eight innings to backup the solid relief pitching effort. Gordon Muhammad Jr. tripled and scored on the throw from the outfield to increase the lead to 5-3 in the sixth inning before Alvarez pushed the score to 7-3 with a two-RBI double to left center in the eighth inning.

TAMIU will play at home for the third straight weekend next Friday and Saturday. The Dustdevils will play doubleheaders against Heartland Conference stalwart Incarnate Word on both days. First pitch on both days is scheduled for noon.