LAREDO, Texas - Texas A&M International University softball (14-21) dropped a non-conference doubleheader against Tarleton State University (23-8) on Monday afternoon.

Game 1: Tarleton State 5, Texas A&M International 1

In the road half of the opening frame, the TexAnns scored the game's first run when Tanna Huie (1-for-3, 2 R, BB) touched home on a passed ball.

After the run was recorded, starting pitchers Jordan Withrow (W, 9-3: 7 IP, 3 H, R, 8 K, 4 BB), of the TexAnns, and Miranda Martinez (L, 1-2: 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 K, 5 BB), of the Dustdevils, were locked in a pitcher's duel until the fifth inning.

In the top of the fifth inning, the TexAnns expanded their lead when Amanda Conner (2-for-4, 2 RBI) smacked a single to center field that scored Huie for the two-run edge (2-0). The next batter, Morgan Ling (1-for-3, 2 RBI, BB) hit an infield single to bring home Karli Herron (3-for-3, 2 R, BB) to give Tarleton State a 3-0 lead.

The Dustdevils tried to battle back in the bottom of the sixth inning as Briana Cruz came home on a wild pitch by Withrow that slashed the deficit to a pair of runs (3-1).

In the final inning, the TexAnns put two more runs on the scoreboard and held on to secure a 5-1 non-conference victory.
 

Game 2: Tarleton State 3, Texas A&M International 1

In the second game of the doubleheader, Denise Longoria (L, 0-1: 7 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 BB)  made her season debut in the circle for TAMIU as she went toe-to-toe with Rachel Williams (W, 4-0: 7 IP, 3 H, ER, 3 K).

In the top of the third inning, the TexAnns had the bases juiced with Destiny Crumpley at the dish with two outs. Longoria managed to evade trouble as Crumpley grounded out to Maya Paul to continue the scoreless game.

The top of the fourth and fifth innings featured solo home runs to left center field by Herron (2-for-4, RBI, R) and Georgia Capell, respectively, to extend the TexAnns' lead to a pair of runs after the top of the fifth inning.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Dustdevils responded by Alyssa Contreras slapping a single into center field that scored Lindsey Smith to bring TAMIU within one of Tarleton State (2-1).

Lexi Grimaldo would later hit a double down the left field line that scored Danyell Kesselus to settle the 3-1 final in favor of the TexAnns.

The Dustdevils begin a lengthy 14-game road trip with a Heartland Conference doubleheader against Newman University (8-18, 2-13 Heartland Conference) on Wednesday, March 27 at 5 p.m.