March 27, 2012
Final Stats
LAREDO - The growth of the Texas A&M International University softball team was on full display Tuesday afternoon, as the Dustdevils offense battered Incarnate Word pitching to earn a 7-4 non-conference win over the Cardinals in game two of their doubleheader. The Dustdevils dropped game one 8-7, despite making a late comeback fueled by a Desiree Ramos grand slam.
The Dustdevils have now won four of their last five games, improving their overall record to 13-27. TAMIU will return to conference play on Friday, March 30 traveling to San Antonio to battle St. Mary's University in a three game series. The Dustdevils are currently tied with the Rattlers for second place in the Heartland Conference standings with 4-2 records.
GAME ONE: TAMIU 4, UIW 8
After TAMIU starter Kyndall Reaves held the Cardinals scoreless through the first three innings, the visitors jumped on freshman reliever Katrina Zamorano, scoring six runs over the next two innings.
In the top of the fourth Melanie Padilla roped a one out double to plate Jennifer Jimenez - who reached on a walk - and Monica Acuna followed with a three-run homer over the left field wall to give the Cardinals a 4-0 lead.
The Cardinals added to their lead in the fifth, taking advantage of a TAMIU error. Ashley Freeman led off with a single and Mallory Henry reached on an error by TAMIU first baseman Cassandra Deleon, allowing Freeman to advance to third. After Henry stole second, Lea Padilla drove both runners home with a single into left field (6-0).
The Cardinals kept their scoring streak going in the sixth, pushing their lead out to 7-0. Sarah O'Brien drew a two-out walk off freshman reliever Monica Cavazos and advanced to second on a single by Freeman. The next batter Whitney Waltrip plated O'Brien with a double into left center.
The Dustdevils made things interesting in the bottom half of the sixth, cutting the lead down to three. Rochelle Nash led off with a bunt single followed by back to back walks from Regina Morales and Emily Smith. With one away Desiree Ramos stepped in and delivered her first home run of the year, a grand slam well over the left field wall to make it 7-4.
However the comeback bid was cut short as the Cardinals answered with a final run in the top of the seventh and then shut the Dustdevils down in the bottom half.
GAME TWO: TAMIU 7, UIW 4
The second game was a different story as the Dustdevils hitters came out guns blazing. TAMIU scored six runs in the first two innings and never looked back en route to a 7-4 win.
Alexis Gonzalez, Rochelle Nash, Regina Morales and Sam Carrillo each went 2-4 in the game combining for six runs and six RBI. Mariena Gallardo and Dominique Salazar also had big contributions, both finishing 2-3 at the plate.
Gallardo was also the winning pitcher for the Dustdevils, giving up only one run on three hits with one strikeout through 3.0 innings. Regina Morales and Freshman Sarah Johnson combined to close out the game throwing two innings apiece allowing a combined three runs on four hits.
Alexis Gonzalez got things going in the first with a one-out double to right center and Rochelle Nash reached on an error by the Cardinals first baseman moving Gonzalez over to third. After Nash stole second, Sam Carrillo singled to center pushing both runs across, giving TAMIU a 2-0 lead.
In the second frame Nikki Salazar led off with a single up the middle and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kristen LaBuhn. Gonzalez and Nash followed with back to back singles, scoring pinch runner Robyn Colin. Morales then crushed her seventh homer of the year, a three-run shot over the left field wall, to give TAMIU a 6-0 lead.
The Cardinals answered with two runs over the next two innings, but TAMIU was able to get one back in the sixth. The Cardinals scored two more in the seventh off an Ashley Freeman home run, but Johnson was able to regroup and get the final outs to end the game.
