April 9, 2010
Final Stats
Texas A&M International University entered Friday's Heartland Conference doubleheader at St. Edward's with a 0-8 all-time record against the Hilltoppers. That did not stop the Dustdevils from sweeping SEU in what may be the biggest day in the three-year history of the program.
TAMIU took both games by one run, winning 4-3 in game one and 5-4 in game two.
Neither team scored through the first three innings of game one. TAMIU broke the tie with a four-run top of the fourth inning.
Victoria Beltrán led off the fourth with a solo home run. The Dustdevils would also score in that frame on a homer by Samantha Carrillo, a RBI single by Janelle Ruiz and a fielder's choice ground ball by Alexis González.
TAMIU took a 4-1 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning. SEU rallied for two runs in the seventh but the game ended with the tying run on third base when Dustdevil pitcher Clarissa Salinas made a back-handed stop and throw to first base on a hard ground ball by SEU's leadoff hitter Lexi Stephens.
Salinas (6-7) earned the win with a complete-game effort. She allowed three runs on nine hits with three strikeouts and no walks in 7.0 innings.
TAMIU (19-23, 13-1 Heartland) came from behind twice to take game two. SEU (24-16, 11-3) led 2-0 after three innings before Salinas tied the score 2-2 with a two run home run in the top of the fourth inning.
The Hilltoppers scored one run apiece in the fifth and sixth innings to take a 4-2 lead into the seventh inning. The Dustdevils came back again, taking a 5-4 lead by scoring three runs on three hits.
Carrillo tied the score 4-4 with a two RBI single. Salinas then provided the Dustdevils a 5-4 lead with a two-out RBI single. It was her third RBI of the game.
St. Edward's advanced a runner to second base with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning but the game ended when TAMIU relief pitcher Beltrán got the next two Hilltoppers batters out on a strikeout and line-out to shortstop.
Beltrán (8-8) earned the win after allowing one run on two hits in 2.1 innings of work.
The Dustdevils and Hilltoppers will conclude the series with a single game on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for noon.
