TAMIU Edged by UTPB in Series Finale

Box Score

ODESSA (March 17, 2013) – TAMIU rallied after falling behind early, but a two-out RBI-single from Chelsey Morgan in the fifth gave UT-Permian Basin enough to avoid a series sweep as the Falcons took game three from the Dustdevils 3-2 Saturday afternoon.

TAMIU’s record slipped to 4-2 in league play and keeps the Dustdevils in a tie with UT-Permian Basin for second place in the conference standings. TAMIU will step out of conference play for its next six games, visiting Incarnate Word for a doubleheader on Monday before returning home to host Oklahoma City University in a doubleheader on Thursday.

Amber Gutierrez belted a two-run home run in the second to give UTPB the early lead, but TAMIU responded with solo shots in the fourth and fifth to pull even.

Chelsea Capello homered in the fourth to give TAMIU its first run of the game and Kristen LaBuhn followed with a solo shot in the fifth, her second of the series, to tie the game at two.

With two away and a runner on second in the bottom half of the inning, UTPB’s Morgan plated Kati Walker on a single into left field giving the Falcons a 3-2 lead.

After stranding the tying run at second in the sixth, the Dustdevils had another chance to pull even in their final at bat of the game. With Olivia Garcia at first with no outs, LaBuhn was able to reach on an error by second basemen Cene Padilla after laying down a sacrifice bunt. Padilla recovered and threw Garcia out at third as Garcia looked to take advantage of the miscue.

Rochelle Nash, who went 3-for-4 in the game, followed with a single, but relief pitcher Janessa Martinez retired the final two batters to end the game.

TAMIU starting pitcher Sarah Johnson took the loss, falling to 4-9 on the season. Johnson matched a team high with six strikeouts, allowing three runs on six hits through six innings. Salina Mitchellpitched one inning in relief, allowing just one hit and issuing one walk.

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