LAREDO, Texas - Texas A&M International University softball (6-12, 0-2 Heartland Conference) dropped both decisions to Oklahoma Christian University (14-3, 2-2 Heartland Conference). The Dustdevils are now 6-8 against OC dating back to the 2016 campaign.

Game 1: Oklahoma Christian 6, Texas A&M International 2

In the top half of the first inning, the Eagles scored five runs off of Dustdevils starter, Jenika Lombrana (L, 2-5: 7 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 3 K, BB). The five-run inning featured an RBI double by Kaylie Upton (1-for-3, 2 RBI, R) and a two-run double Kayla Eichler to plate home Sierra Shultz and Bridget White (2-for-3, R, BB).

In the bottom of the first inning, the Dustdevils responded by scoring an unearned run off of Eagles starter, Kali Crandall (W, 5-1: 7 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 5 K, 7 BB). Shelby Edwards hit a ball to the shortstop, Brie Dunckel, who misplayed it to bring home Maya Paul to make it a four-run game (5-1).

Oklahoma Christian extended its lead when Upton hit a sacrifice fly to left field to extend the Dustdevils' deficit back to five (6-1) in the top of the fourth frame.

In the bottom of the home half of the fourth inning, Gabrielle Mitchell scored on an RBI single by Lindsey Smith that made it a 6-2 game.

Lombrana and Crandall settled down in the circle and did not allow a run for the remaining three innings in the opening game of the doubleheader.

 

Game 2: Oklahoma Christian 11, Texas A&M International 6

The Eagles jumped out to a strong start in the opening inning. The cleanup hitter, White (2-for-5, 4 RBI, 3 R) smacked a two-run double off of Dustdevils starter Sara Caterson (L, 2-4: 4 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 4 BB) that scored Hunter Strickland and Dunckel. The following batter, Eichler (3-for-4, 3 RBI) slapped an RBI single to bring home White and put OC up by a trio of runs after the first.

Oklahoma Christian continued to bring runners home the following inning as a pair of Eagles scored on an error by first baseman, Denise Longoria (1-for-2, R, BB) to extend their lead to five (5-0).

The Dustdevils began to fight back in the bottom of the second inning as they put together RBI singles by Paul (1-for-3, RBI, R), Smith (1-for-4, RBI) and Heather Ruiz (1-for-4, 2 RBI) off of OC starting pitcher, Madison Hagood (W, 6-2: 3.2 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, BB, 4 K) to slash the deficit to two (5-3).

Oklahoma Christian then stepped on the gas and scored the next four runs, including an RBI single and an RBI double off the bat of Eichler to give OC a 9-3 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth inning.

In the home half of the sixth, TAMIU got on the board when Ruiz grounded out to plate home Maddison Schofield (4-for-4, 2 RBI, R, BB) to make it a 9-4 game.  

In the bottom of the last inning, Schofield completed a perfect day at the plate by hitting a two RBI single that would ultimately settle the 11-6 victory for the Eagles.   

The Dustdevils travel to Lubbock, Texas on Saturday, March 2 for a Heartland Conference doubleheader against Lubbock Christian University (9-1) at 12 p.m.