LIVE STATS | VIDEO | GAME NOTES

LAREDO, Texas (March 21, 2018) – Following a much needed break, Texas A&M International University Softball returns to action with a three-game series against Heartland Conference leaders St. Mary's in San Antonio on March 23-24. The Dustdevils dropped a midweek doubleheader to StMU earlier this month in Laredo. First pitch for Friday's doubleheader is scheduled for 3 p.m.
 
Links for live stats and video can be found at GoDustdevils.com under the softball schedule page.
 
A LOOK AT THE DUSTDEVILS
The Dustdevils are 12-22 on the season and 9-7 in Heartland Conference having won six of their last eight games including a three game sweep over Newman two weeks ago. Head coach Scott Libby enters the weekend close to another milestone sitting three wins short of 225 for his career.  
 
Hitting
Maya Paul has been the most consistent hitter on the Dustdevil roster with a .348 average going 32-for-92 from the plate. The San Antonio product hit her first career home run this weekend against Oklahoma Christian and is hitting a team-high .422 with two outs. She is also dangerous on the base paths as her 14 stolen bases are the second-most in the Heartland Conference. Maddison Schofield is hitting .290 with five doubles, two home runs and 18 RBIs while scoring five runs. She is a tough out and has come up clutch in multiple occasions for the Dustdevils this season including the go-ahead home run in their win over Newman in the top of the ninth. Samantha Edmiston has had a breakout senior campaign where is hitting .283 with four doubles, two home runs and 13 RBIs. She leads the team with five games with two or more runs batted in and recently saw her nine game hit streak come to an end. Cassie Cannon has been effective from the leadoff spot as the senior centerfielder leads the team in at-bats, runs, hits and doubles from the leadoff spot.
 
Pitching
Opposing teams have struggled to hit Delainy Thompson over her past five appearances going 3-1 with an ERA of 0.76. Right handers are only hitting .196 during that stretch where she has 18 strikeouts to seven walks. She tied the school record for career shutouts on Friday against Oklahoma Christian allowing four hits and three walks while striking out three. Melanie Lint continues to impress in the circle as the freshman ranks first on the team in wins (5) and second in ERA (2.99), strikeouts (42) and complete games (5). Sara Caterson is coming off her best performance in the circle since last season's Heartland Conference Tournament going five innings of shutout softball allowing six hits with one strike out against OC.
 
A LOOK AT THE RATTLERS
St. Mary's has played nine games over the past 10 days with four of those coming against teams ranked in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association National Poll. The Rattlers are 23-11 overall and 11-1 in Heartland Conference play with their lone conference loss coming last week at the hands of Rogers State.
 
Hitting
Abigale Carney paces the Rattlers from the plate hitting a team-high .343 on 32 hits. The freshman has adjusted well to the level of competition with eight doubles, two triples and five home runs driving in 25 runs. Brenda Iparraguirre has been equally impressive at the dish hitting .327 with 10 doubles, one triple and three home runs driving in a team-high 31 runs. She is also patient at the plate registering a team-high 17 walks compared to 14 strikeouts. The trio of Taylor Germain, Alessandra Ortiz and Raynelle Nash are also hitting over .300 for the season. Marcela Vasqeuz is the reigning Heartland Conference Hitter of the Week after hitting .350 with three home runs and seven RBIs.
 
Pitching
Staci Johns earned Heartland Conference Pitcher of the Week honors for the second consecutive week after going 3-1 including a complete game shutout against nationally ranked Angelo State ending their 23-game win streak. For the season, the Elgin product is 12-4 with an ERA of 1.80 having allowed 33 runs (28 earned) on 91 hits and 21 walks with a team-high 91 strikeouts. Hope Russell has made 15 starts this season going 9-3 with an ERA of 1.97. The senior ranks second on the team in complete games with seven having allowed 23 runs (18 earned) in 81.2 innings pitched. Alex McLennan has been impressive out as a reliever with a team-high four saves.
 
THE SERIES
The Dustdevils trail St. Mary's 7-33 in the all-time series and 5-17 in San Antonio. The Rattlers have won six of the last eight games including five straight. TAMIU won three straight in the series back in 2011 with two of those wins coming on the road. The Dustdevils last defeated StMU in San Antonio on Apr. 28, 2016.
 
THE LAST MEETING
The Dustdevils gave the Rattlers all they could handle during a doubleheader back on March 9 in Laredo.  They were a hit away from tying the first game in the bottom of the six before StMU scored six in the top of the seventh for a 8-1 victory. It was déjà vu in game two as the Dustdevils had the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the fifth in their 4-1 loss.
 
AROUND THE HEARTLAND
St. Mary's continues to lead the Heartland Conference with a record of 11-1 after taking two out of three from Rogers State last weekend. The Hillcats sit second at 9-3 followed by Lubbock Christian (8-6)  and TAMIU (9-7). Oklahoma Christian occupies fifth position with St. Edward's and Newman in sixth and seventh respectively.
 
RECORD WATCH
14 – Maya Paul's 14 stolen bases are the third-most in a single season in program history. It also ranks her 10^th in career stolen bases.
 
84 – With her next start, Delainy Thompson will move into first in career starts after tying the record against Oklahoma Christian last Friday. It will be her third outright program record (earned run average, complete games, starts).
 
136 – With her three hit performance against Oklahoma Christian on Saturday, Alyssa Acuna moved into 10^th in program history in hits.
 
194 – Acuna ranks sixth in career games started with 194. She needs 17 more starts to move into fifth and 23 to become the program's leader in the category.
 
222 – Head coach Scott Libby is three wins short of 225 for his career. He enters the three-game series 222-315 during his nine year career at TAMIU.
 
UP NEXT
The Dustdevils return home for a Tuesday doubleheader on March 27 against Lubbock Christian. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.