LAREDO, Texas - Texas A&M International University softball (12-13, 6-3 Heartland Conference) swept a Heartland Conference doubleheader against St. Edward's University (6-11, 3-6 Heartland Conference) on Tuesday afternoon. With the pair of wins, the Dustdevils have extended their winning streak to five and now improve to 6-1 in their last seven matchups with the Hilltoppers.

Game 1: Texas A&M International 6, St. Edward's 4

In the home half of the first inning, Shelby Edwards (2-for-2, 4 RBI, R, BB) smacked an RBI single off of Hilltoppers starting pitcher Julisa Ortega (L, 1-2: 2 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 4 K, 2 BB) that scored Maddison Schofield (3-for-3, 2 R) for the game's first run.

The Hilltoppers quickly countered in the top of the second frame when they scored two runs back-to-back RBI singles, by Sara Machado (2-for-3, 3 RBI, R) and Morgan Lewis respectively, while the bases were loaded to give St. Edward's a one-run edge (2-1).

In the bottom of the second inning, Ortega threw a wild pitch that allowed Lindsey Smith to cross home and tie the game at two apiece.

Edwards broke the tie in style and hit a three-run blast that cleared the left center field fence that gave TAMIU a 5-2 lead in the bottom of the third inning.

In the top of the fourth inning, the Hilltoppers tried to mount a comeback as Machado hit a two-run home run off of Dustdevils starting pitcher, Jenika Lombrana (W, 5-6: 7 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 3 K, BB) to bring St. Edward's within one run (5-4).

In the bottom half of that same inning, Maya Paul launched a solo home run over the left center field fence to secure the 6-4 victory.


Game 2: Texas A&M International 8, St. Edward's 3

Although the Hilltoppers scored the first run of the game in the opening inning, TAMIU erupted for five runs on five hits on St. Edward's starting pitcher Reagan Carter (L, 1-5: 4 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 3 ER, K, 4 BB).

The scoring spree was ignited on a double to left center field by Briana Arredondo (2-for-4, 2 RBI) that scored Briana Cruz to tie the game at one. The next batter, Melanie Gamboa hit a run scoring single to plate home Smith (2-for-4, 2 R) to put the Dustdevils ahead 2-1. Morgan Chavarria (3-for-3, RBI, R, BB) would later cap off the scoring run by smacking an RBI single to right center field that scored Maya Paul to put TAMIU up by four after the second inning (5-1).

In the top of the third inning, the Hilltoppers scored a pair of runs off of Dustdevils starter, Sara Caterson (W, 5-4: 7 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 3 K, 4 BB) on a run scoring single by Lauren Garza that plated home Kayla Appleby (2-for-4, 2 R) and a sacrifice fly to center field by Valerie Bryant that allowed Kathryn Connelly to score and cut their deficit to two (5-3).

In the bottom of the third, Arredondo hit an RBI single to left field that scored Smith to extend their lead to three (6-3).
 
In the next inning, Schofield hit a two-run blast over the fence in left center field to give TAMIU a five-run lead (8-3).

Caterson would ultimately settle down in the circle and did not allow one hit in the final four innings of play to settle the 8-3 home win.

The Dustdevils will travel to Oklahoma Christian University (16-5, 2-2 Heartland Conference) for a Heartland Conference doubleheader on Friday, March 15 at 5 p.m.