WICHITA, Kan. - Texas A&M International University softball (16-21, 10-9 Heartland Conference) began a 14-game road trip with a pair of victories in a Heartland Conference doubleheader against Newman University (8-20, 2-15 Heartland Conference) on Wednesday evening.

Game 1: Texas A&M International 7, Newman 3

TAMIU jumped out to quick start when the leadoff hitter, Maya Paul (3-for-4, RBI, 2 R) smacked a home run off of Jets starter Chantel Purcella (L, 3-6: 7 IP, 13 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 7 K) that cleared the left center field fence to give TAMIU an early lead.

The first hitter for the Jets, Lauren Kuhrt hit a triple down the left field line off of Dustdevils starter Jenika Lombrana (W, 7-9: 7 IP, 8 H, 3 R, ER, 3 K). The next batter, Katherine Stanford hit into an unassisted double play to the third baseman, Paul to help Lombrana escape the inning unscathed.

In the top of the third frame, the Dustdevils strung together a trio of runs that was sparked when Paul touched home plate, for the second time, on a throwing error by the catcher, Emma Eck (2-for-3, RBI). The play was soon followed by a Maddison Schofield (3-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 R) two-run blast for her team-high seventh home run of the season, over the center field fence that brought home Morgan Chavarria to extend the lead to four (4-0).

The Jets quickly countered by scoring three runs of their own in the home half of the third. Paige Wallace hit a two-RBI double to right center field that slashed the deficit to a pair of runs (4-2). Two batters later, Eck hit a single to center field that allowed Wallace to score that made it a one-run game (4-3).  

Lombrana would go on to silence the Jets bats for the remainder of the game as she refused to allow a run in the last four innings in her 12th complete game of the season.

In the final inning the Dustdevils tallied three more runs when Shelby Edwards delivered a single to left field that scored Schofield. Later in the inning, Lindsey Smith (2-for-4, 2 RBI) hit a two-run double to settle the 7-3 road victory.
 

Game 2: Texas A&M International 6, Newman 0

TAMIU broke the scoring ice in the top of the fourth inning when Smith (2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 R) powered a solo home run to left field off of Jets starter, Dominique Payne (L, 3-7: 6.2 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 2 ER, 5 K, BB).

In the road half of the fifth frame, the Dustdevils poured on two more runs that scored on a fielding error by the second baseman that brought home Sumer Woodson and Briana Cruz to extend the lead to three (3-0).

Schofield (2-for-4, 2 RBI, R) solo home run to left center field in the following inning that put TAMIU up by four (4-0). The home run is her team-high eighth of the season and second of the twin bill.

In the top of the last inning, the Dustdevils put the finishing touches on when both Smith (2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 R) and Schofield smacked RBI singles to secure the 6-0 victory.

In the circle, Melanie Lint was sensational as she pitched her first complete game shutout of the season. On the day, Lint allowed eight hits including only one extra-base hit which was a double by Lacey Colvin (2-for-3).

The Dustdevils continue will play the next dozen matchups on the road, starting with a Heartland Conference doubleheader against Rogers State University (24-12, 11-6 Heartland Conference) on Friday, March 29 at 4 p.m.