LAREDO, Texas (March 21, 2018) - The Texas A&M International University Baseball team opens Heartland Conference play at home on Thursday, March 22. The Dustdevils are hosting Arkansas-Fort Smith in a four-game series taking place Thursday and Friday. The teams will play a seven and nine inning game at Jorge Haynes Field on Thursday before closing the series at Uni-trade Stadium with a seven and nine inning game on Friday. 

SERIES RUNDOWN:

Thursday, March 22
Game 1 (7 Innings): First pitch 1:00 p.m. - Jorge Haynes Field
Game 2 (9 Innings): First pitch 3:00 p.m. - Jorge Haynes Field

Friday, March 23
Game 1 (7 Innings): First Pitch 12:00 p.m. - Uni-trade Stadium
Game 2 (9 Innings): First Pitch 2:00 p.m. - Uni-trade Stadium

THE ALL-TIME SERIES:
Thursday's first game marks the 29th all-time meeting between the Lions and Dustdevils. In 28 previous matchups, the Lions hold an all-time edge of 18-10 in the series. The Dustdevils last win against UAFS came on March 14, 2015 in a 3-1 win at Uni-trade Stadium. 

A LOOK AT UAFS:
Arkansas-Fort Smith comes into the week with a 14-6 overall record which has them second in the Heartland Conference (based on overall record). The Lions enter play after a 3-1 series win over Oklahoma Christian in a non-conference matchup last weekend. The Lions defeated the Eagles 16-11, 7-6, and 7-0, falling in the third game 3-5. 

The Lions are hitting .307 as a team, led by Dylan Hurt who has an average of .457 through 12 games. Hurt is 16-35 at the plate with seven RBI. Three starters post batting averages over .340 in Kyle Love (20 GP, 19 GS | .362), Logan Allen (20 GP, 20 GS | .354), and Jace Pithcford (20 GP, 20 GS | .342). Pitchford has accounted for five of the Lion's 11 home runs this season. Allen leads the team with 20 RBI. 

UAFS has a team ERA of 3.99 through 20 games. Dawson Floyd leads the team with four wins in seven appearances and six starts this season. Zach Burch posts an ERA of 4.96 and is 2-2 on the season. Jordan Lawrence has started three of his four appearances, posting a 2-1 record with an ERA of 1.96. 

A LOOK AT TAMIU:
The Dustdevils enter play at 8-13 this season. In their lasts series, the Dustdevils fell to St. Mary's in all four games of a non-conference series. 

The Dustdevils are hitting .247 as a team this season, led by Daniel Espinosa (18 GP, 16 GS | .311) and Mario Ramirez (21 GP, 21 GS | .304). Abel Aguilar leads the team in RBI with nine this season while Ricky Gonzalez has accounted for eight. Jorge Napoles leads the team in stolen bases with four in six attempts. 

TAMIU has a team ERA of 5.04 while holding opponents to a batting average of .260. Eleazar Rojas leads the team in innings pitched and strikeout with 29 K's in 20 innings pitched. Hugo Mendiola leads starting pitchers with an 2-2 record. Justin Diaz is 2-0 out of the bullpen this season with nine innings pitched. 

PROMOTIONS:
March 22, 2018 @ 1/3 p.m. BASEBALL vs. ARKANSAS-FORT SMITH
Jorge Haynes Field

Giveaway: Tame The Lions T-Shirt Giveaway - The first 125 fans in attendance will receive a free Tame The Lions T-Shirt

March 23, 2018 @ 12/2 p.m. BASEBALL vs. ARKANSAS-FORT SMITH
Uni-trade Stadium

Giveaway: Foam Finger Giveaway - The first 200 fans in the gate will get a free #DustEm Foam Finger

UP NEXT:
The Dustdevils will head north following the series against UAFS. Heartland action continues with a four-game series in Claremore, Oklahoma as the Dustdevils face off with Rogers State.