SAN ANTONIO - Texas A&M International University softball (20-29, 13-14 Heartland Conference) took a 3-0 decision in the opening matchup and faced an 8-2 setback in the finale of the Heartland Conference doubleheader at St. Mary's (29-20, 18-10 Heartland Conference).
Game 1: Texas A&M International 3, St. Mary's 0 (10 Inn.)
The first game of the doubleheader was a pitcher's duel between Dustdevils starter, Jenika Lombrana (W, 9-12: 10 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 6 K, BB) and Rattlers starter Staci Johns (L, 16-11: 10 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 5 K, BB).
In the opening inning, the Rattlers got an early single to left field by leadoff hitter, Taylor Germain. Lombrana got out of the early jam by striking out the next batter, Victoria Aldridge (2-for-4) and then got help from catcher Shelby Edwards (2-for-5, 2 RBI) as she threw out Germain who got caught trying to steal second base.
In the road half of the fourth inning, Maddison Schofield (2-for-5) smacked a two-out double down the right field line that gave TAMIU its first hit of the game off of Johns. The next batter, Edwards flied out to the left fielder to end the scoring threat.
After giving up a single to Tiffany Licon, Lombrana got Abigale Carney to fly out to right fielder Lindsey Smith that sent the game into extras.
The Dustdevils broke the scoring ice in the 10th inning as Briana Arredondo (1-for-2, RBI) smacked a single through the right side to plate home Briana Cruz. Following a single by Schofield, Edwards hit a two-RBI double to center field that scored Meza and Schofield to cap off a three-run inning (3-0).
In the bottom of the 10th inning, Lombrana closed out her masterful performance in the circle by retiring the last three Rattlers in order to secure her 16th complete game and second shutout of the season in a 3-0 Heartland Conference road victory.
Game 2: St. Mary's 8, Texas A&M International 2
In the second game of the twin bill, the Rattlers recorded a pair runs in the first inning off of Dustdevils starter, Sara Caterson (L, 7-9: 6 IP, 9 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 2 K, 3 BB). Raynelle Nash (3-for-4, 3 RBI, R) hit a single through the left side to score Aldridge and the next hitter, Johns (2-for-4, RBI), slapped an RBI double to right center field that scored Nash to give St. Mary's an early 2-0 edge.
In the home half of the second frame, Germain (2-for-4, 2 RBI, R) reached base on a throwing error by shortstop, Heather Ruiz that allowed Angie Camacho (1-for-1, 2 R, BB) to score the Rattlers' third run of the game (3-0).
The Dustdevils answered in the top of the third inning as Maya Paul (2-for-3, RBI, R) hit a double down the left field line off of Rattlers starter, Alex McLennan (W, 10-5: 7 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 4 K) to bring home Melanie Gamboa (2-for-2, R) to cut the deficit to two runs (3-1). The next hitter, Morgan Chavarria smacked an RBI double that scored Paul, to make it a 3-2 game.
The Rattlers countered in the bottom of the fourth inning on a two-RBI double by Germain that plated home Carney and Licon to extend their lead back to three (5-2).
The Rattlers would ultimately go on to score the next three runs to settle the 8-2 final.
The Dustdevils conclude their non-conference slate on Wednesday, April 24 at 12 p.m. when they host a doubleheader against Angelo State University (29-17).
