LAREDO, Texas (March 17, 2018) – For the third time this season, Texas A&M International was on the wrong end of an extra inning game dropping Saturday's series finale to Oklahoma Christian, 3-1, in eight innings in Laredo. TAMIU took two out of three from the Eagles this weekend at Dustdevil Field and sit 12-22 overall and 9-7 in Heartland Conference play.
 
The Dustdevils return to action with a weekend doubleheader on March 23-24 at Heartland Conference leading St. Mary's. Links for live stats and video can be found on the softball schedule page at GoDustdevils.com.
 
Oklahoma Christian 3, TAMIU 1 (8 innings)
The Dustdevils came close to opening the scoring in the bottom of the second after Alyssa Acuna leadoff with a single to left. Avianna Galvan was hit by a pitch two batters later putting runners on first and second with one out. Robi Kami's blooper dropped safely on the fringe of the infield to load the bases but OC's Madison Nordyke hunkered down and struck out the next two batters.
 
They came close again in the fourth with Acuna once again starting the inning with a single to the left side. She would reach second on an error form the second basemen on a fielder's choice from Sara Caterson. Galvan advanced the runners with a sac bunt to the left side. But much like in the second, Nordyke struck out the next two batters to end the threat.
 
The Eagles took a 1-0 lead in the top of the sixth on three hits none bigger that a one-out single up the middle by Kaylie Upton. The visitors lead was short lived as the Dustdevils stormed back to tie it at 1-all. For third time in the game, Acuna led the inning off with a single this time to right field. Following a wild pitch which advanced her to second, the senior would advance to third on a single to left field from Sara Caterson. With runners on first and third with one out, Galvan hit a chopper back to the pitcher allowing pinch runner Krystal Perez to slide home tying the game at 1-1.
 
The Dustdevils looked to win their first extra inning game at home of the season but OC's Kayla Eichler had others plans with a two-run home run in the top of the eighth giving them their second lead of the game. TAMIU was unable to get a base runner on in the bottom half of the innings going down in order as they fell to 1-3 in extra innings this season.
 
Melanie Lint didn't factor into the decision after going 5.1 innings allowing one run (one earned) with strikeouts. Delainy Thompson (5-9) allowed two runs (two earned) on three hits and one walk while striking out three in 2.2 innings of relief.