Feb. 27, 2010

Final Stats

Texas A&M International University defeated Newman 9-6 in Heartland Conference action on Saturday afternoon at Jorge Haynes Field. The result lets the Dustdevils salvage a win in the three game series against the Jets and snaps a five-game losing streak.

TAMIU (6-11, 6-11 Heartland) took a 5-3 lead after scoring four runs in the fourth inning. David Pittman started the scoring with a two-RBI double down the right field line. That timely hit was followed by a RBI double by Chris Collazo and a RBI single by Matt Winter.

Newman (5-9, 5-8) scored two runs in the fifth and one run in the sixth to retake a 6-5 lead. The Dustdevils made their own comeback at that point, taking a 7-6 lead on a RBI single by Luis Bracero and a RBI double by Rey Alvarez in the bottom of that frame.

TAMIU stretched the lead to 9-6 with a two-run seventh inning. The insurance runs were scored on a RBI bunt out by Enrique Granados and RBI single by Collazo.

Newman loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the eighth inning but the threat ended when TAMIU relief pitcher B.J. Valadez forced Trent Bierman to ground into a fielder's choice out. The Jets went down in order in the top of the ninth inning.

TAMIU finished with 14 hits but also committed four errors, leading to two unearned Jet runs. Collazo and Max St. Hilaire led the offensive charge with three hits apiece.

Valadez (1-1) earned the win after entering the game in the fifth inning. He allowed no runs on four hits with three strikeouts in 3.2 innings. Starter John Gonzáles allowed six runs (four earned) in a 5.1 inning outing.

TAMIU will play its sixth straight home series next weekend against St. Edward's. The Dustdevils and Hilltoppers will play doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday with first pitch scheduled for noon each day.