Box Score LAREDO, Texas – The series finale between Texas A&M International and Oklahoma Panhandle State (5-12, 1-2 Heartland Conference) on Saturday served as a rubber game for the pair after splitting the opening doubleheader on Friday. On Saturday, TAMIU outlasted the Heartland foe with a 7-5 victory with two early home runs to set the tone.
TAMIU (9-12, 2-1 Heartland) took charge in the second inning. Brittany Mussett led off the inning by reaching first after getting plunked. Mariena Gallardo and Brenda Parnin then hammered back-to-back jacks over the right field wall for a 3-0 lead. Gallardo recorded two RBI with her launching, while Parnin's was a solo shot.
TAMIU gave up a run in the third, but answered with four more of its own in the bottom of the fourth. Esme Gonzalez singled to left with one out before scoring when Chelsea Capello dumped a double to right field. OPSU made a throwing error, allowing Gonzalez to score. Former Heartland Conference Hitter of the Week Cassandra De Leon plated Capello with a RBI single before Mussett knocked a single of her own.
Gallardo followed with another single to load the bases for Parnin. She then hit a fourth consecutive single to plate Mussett and Victoria Gomez – who pinch ran for De Leon.
The Dustdevils saw the Aggies score three in the fifth and one in the seventh before closing the game with a Gallardo (4-4) victory from the circle. She pitched the complete game with a strike out and no walks. She allowed 11 hits for just five runs – four earned.
Samantha Arledge (0-1) took the loss for OPSU.
Parnin led the Dustdevils by going 3-for-3 with a run scored and three RBI. Gonzalez went 2-for-4 with a run, De Leon went 2-for-3 with a RBI and Gallardo went 2-for-2 with two RBI and a run.
Cappelo and Mussett went 1-for-4 and 1-for-3, respectively. Both De Leon and Mussett were hit by pitches while Gallardo and Cassie Garcia drew walks.
The Dustdevils return to action for a non-conference showdown with No. 17 Angelo State on March 4 in San Angelo. They will return home to host Rogers State for a doubleheader at noon on March 7.
