LAREDO, Texas (February 23, 2018) – The Texas A&M International University softball swept a Heartland Conference doubleheader against Newman on Friday afternoon in large part to the heroics of Brandi Giles and Maddison Schofield. The Dustdevils won the first game in five innings, 9-1, before needing a home run by Giles and double from Schofield in the bottom of the seventh to secure a 5-4 victory in game two. The wins improve TAMIU to 5-15 and 2-0 in conference play while NU falls to 2-11 and 0-2.
 
The Dustdevils make the trip to Oklahoma next with doubleheaders against Oklahoma Christian (Mar. 1) and Rogers State (Mar. 3). A link for live stats can be found at GoDustdevils.com under the softball schedule page.
 
TAMIU 9 Newman 1 (5 innings)
Alyssa Acuna's double in the bottom of the first half got the Dustdevils on the board as Schofield came around to score after reaching base on a one out single to the left field line. Newman would respond in the following inning tying the game at 1-all when Emma Eck sored on Paige Wallace's single to third.
 
Maya Paul got things started for TAMIU in the bottom of the third reaching base on a fielder's choice before stealing second. Acuna walked on five pitches putting two runners on with one out before both runners advanced on a stolen base. Paul scored on an absolute beauty of a bunt by Robi Kami with Acuna coming to score on the next pitch on a double steal. Sanchez continued the inning advancing Kami to third on a single. Following the second out of the inning, Samantha Edmiston drilled one to left center to clear the bases making it 5-1. Cassie Cannon switched places with Edmiston with a double of her forcing a pitching change. Gamboa's single would bring Cannon around to score followed by the third double of the inning by Schofield. Maya Paul would clear the bases with a double to left giving the Dustdevils a 9-1 run after three innings.
 
Delainy Thompson (2-6) was dominant on the mound allowing one run on five hits not allowing a walk while striking out two batters.
 
TAMIU 5 Newman 4
The Dustdevils jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second on three hits and a pair of errors from Newman. Alyssa Soneff reached base on a single down the left field line advancing to second on a single by Giles. Krystal Perez's single to left field plated Soneff as the left fielder had trouble coming up with the ball. Cannon then proceeded to empty the bases with a double to left cneter giving the Dustdevils an early three-run lead.
 
Melanie Lint continued her strong outing as she held the Jets hitless until the top of the sixth when they took a 4-3 lead courtesy of three errors from the Dustdevils. Giles tied the game up in the bottom of the seventh taking a 1-1 pitch over the wall in center for her fourth home run of the season. Cannon picked up a two-out single with a hard-hit ball pass the shortstop. Cannon stole second following the second out of the inning before Schofield ripped a full count pitch into the gap in right center for the Dustdevil's first walk-off hit since March 24, 2017.
 
Lint (1-6) picked up her first career victory in the circle giving up four runs (0 earned) on four hits and three walks with four strikeouts.