LAREDO, Texas (April 13, 2018) - Brandi Giles hit a home run in consecutive games for the first time in her four-year career as the Dustdevils of Texas A&M International University took the first two games of the series against St. Edward's on Friday afternoon. The Dustdevils won the first game 5-4 thanks to Maya Paul's walk-off double in the bottom of the seventh before taking the second game 9-3 with home runs from Giles and Lindsey Smith.
 
The Dustdevils will honor 11 seniors before Saturday's series finale against the Hilltoppers. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. Links for live stats and video can be found on the softball schedule page at GoDustdevils.com.
 
TAMIU 5, St. Edward's 4
The Hilltoppers jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first on a one out two-run home run from Karolina Rodriguez. Brandi Giles got one back for the Dustdevils in the bottom of the third with a home run over the fence in left center. It was the first hit of the game for the home team.
 
Sara Caterson got herself in some trouble in the top of the fourth allowing back-to-back singles but Tori Carrion came in relief and recorded three straight outs to get out of the jam. The Dustdevils took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the fifth scoring three runs on four hits. Robi Kami led the inning off with a double to right center followed by a RBI single by Giles to make it a one run game. Consecutive fielder's choice resulted in the first two outs of the inning leaving pinch runner Krystal Perez on second. Samantha Edmiston single up the middle before stealing second to put two runners in scoring position. Maya Paul loaded the bases with a five pitch walk followed by a two-run single to left from Maddison Schofield to make it 4-3 in favor of TAMIU.
 
The Dustdevils were unable to add to their lead in the sixth as the Hilltoppers tied the game at 4-all in the top of the seventh. They came close to taking the lead but Paul snagged a liner to end the bases loaded threat. The Dustdevils would get a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning for the walk-off win after Edmiston reached base with one out on an error from Kathryn Connelly before scoring on Paul's double to deep right field. 
 
Lint (10-8) got the win after going two innings allowing one run (no earned) with one walk and a strikeout. Carrion continued her strong form in the circle going two innings only allowing one baserunner. Caterson got the start going three innings allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits with two strikeouts.
 
TAMIU 9, St. Edward's 3
Lindsey Smith and Giles both homered as the Dustdevils broke the game wide open with a six-run second inning. Schofield led off with a double to left followed by Smith's first home run since February 10 against Adams State. Following the first out of the inning, Giles connected on her second home run of the day over the left field wall. Consecutive singles by Gamboa and Cannon put runners on first and second with two outs. Gamboa would come around to score on an infield error to make it 4-0. Paul's 11^thdouble of the season cleared the bases on the next pitch sending a hard hit ball off the wall in center. 
 
The Hilltoppers responded in the top half of the third scoring three runs courtesy of Kayla Appleby's home run. The Dustdevils got one back in the bottom half of the inning on a Schofield two out single to right to plate pinch runner Amanda Hinojosa. Delainy Thompson sat SEU down in order in the fifth and sixth with the Dustdevils adding an insurance run in each inning. SEU would load the bases in the top of the seventh but Thompson got Sami Williams to strike out looking to end the game. 
 
Thompson (8-12) pitched all seven innings registering her 60^thcareer complete game allowing three runs (three earned) on eight hits and two walks and three strikeouts.