Baseball 5/3/2013 11:22:00 PM by Dan Lathey

Dustdevils Clinch Second Postseason Berth in Program History

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 AUSTIN (May 3, 2013) - In the end, Texas A&M International left nothing to chance. The Dustdevils knew that a win in game two of today’s doubleheader at #22 St. Edward’s would secure a spot in the upcoming Heartland Conference Tournament. The Dustdevils answered the bell by grinding out a 3-2 extra innings win over the Hilltoppers at Lucian-Hamilton Field on the SEU campus in South Austin.

St. Edward’s won the opener 2-0 despite a strong complete game pitching performance by Jerry Hawkins. The Hilltoppers got all of the offense they would need on a 2-RBI triple by Taylor Johnson in the bottom of the fifth inning.

As strong as Hawkins pitched, St. Edward’s starter Brannon Easterling was almost untouchable. Easterling limited the Dustdevils to one hit and that was a leadoff single by Alvaro Rondon. He faced only three batters over the minimum and retired the last 13 Dustdevil batters in order.

Hawkins (4-6) allowed two runs on three hits with three strikeouts and two walks in 6.0 innings of work.

Soon after the loss TAMIU received word that Newman had lost its opening game at Arkansas-Fort Smith, thus placing the magic number for the Dustdevils to qualify for the postseason at one. That motivation set the stage for one of the most competitive games of the season.

TAMIU would take a one-run lead three times in game two, the final time under unusual circumstances in the top of the 11th inning.

TAMIU took its first lead at 1-0 on a RBI double by Alex McKeon in the top of the fourth inning. St. Edward’s tied the score with a run in the bottom of the seventh before TAMIU reclaimed a 2-1 lead on a RBI double chopped over the first base bag by Rondon in the top of the eighth inning.

The Dustdevils took that lead to the bottom of the ninth with relief pitcher Jared Curnel retiring the first two batters of that frame to place TAMIU within one out of a win. St. Edward’s had different plans, however, and the Hilltoppers tied the score on an infield single by Will McCaleb and a RBI double by Marshall Burford.

Each team would strand a base runner without scoring in the 10th inning. Jeff Anderson led off the top of the 11th inning by reaching base on a dropped infield fly by Hilltopper second baseman Johnson.

Alex Salas then advanced Anderson to second base on a sac bunt before McKeon drilled a sharp single to left field, advancing Anderson to third base. Matt Garcia then came to the plate with runners on first and third and only one out.

St. Edward’s reliever Matt Davis then delivered a wild pitch that spurred Anderson to attempt a dash from third base. Hilltopper catcher C.J. Manning came up with the errant pitch quickly and flung it to Davis in what would seem to be plenty of time to tag Anderson out but Anderson stalled right before the tag and did what can best be described as a shuffle and tap routine to avoid the tag and score the go ahead run.

McKeon advanced to third on the bizarre play but Garcia lined out to third base and Ramon Sandoval struck out to send the game to the bottom of the 11th inning with TAMIU clinging to a 3-2 lead.

There would be no St. Edward’s (34-15, 23-12 Heartland) comeback this time. TAMIU (26-23, 19-16) closer Manolo Mendoza came in throwing heat, striking out the first two batters he faced before ending the game on a groundout to shortstop by Manning.

Mendoza, who earned his third save, was the third and final effective pitcher used in the win. Starter Abdel Rivera allowed one run on six hits in 7.0 innings and Currel (3-1) earned the win after allowing one run on two hits in 3.0 innings.

The Dustdevil pitchers combined for no walks and along with a solid defensive effort, led by center fielder Jeff Anderson and shortstop Rondon, TAMIU limited the high-powered Hilltoppers to just two runs.

Head coach Chad Porter was visibly pleased with the gutsy win by his squad.

“We played two solid games today and were able to take care of business,” Porter said.

“I’m very proud of our players for earning a tournament berth, they deserve this. Hopefully we can now get hot a make a run that I am confident we are capable of doing.”

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