AUSTIN, Texas - Texas A&M International University softball (18-25, 12-13 Heartland Conference) split a Heartland Conference doubleheader against St. Edward's University (11-21, 7-15 Heartland Conference) on Friday afternoon.

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

The Dustdevils grabbed an early lead when Maya Paul hit an RBI single to left field off of Hilltoppers' starter Olivia Burdick (ND: 3.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, ER, 5 K, 3 BB) that brought home Heather Ruiz for the game's first run in the top of the second inning.

In the top of the road half of the fourth inning, TAMIU compiled a three-run lead thanks to a pair of RBI singles by Melanie Gamboa and Briana Arredondo (3-0).  

Sara Caterson (L, 6-7: 3.1 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 2 K, 4 BB) pitched over three innings of shutout softball until Morgan Lewis (2-for-3, RBI, R) hit a single up the middle that scored Calli Birch for their first run of the game and cut their deficit to a pair of runs (3-1). The next hitter, Kayla Appleby (2-for-2, HR, 4 RBI, R, 2 BB) hit a grand slam that highlighted the bottom of the fourth inning for St. Edward's. The Hilltoppers would eventually conclude the inning with a 6-3 edge.

In the final inning, the Dustdevils tried to mount a comeback when Shelby Edwards hit a single to right field off of relief pitcher, Reagan Carter (W, 3-7: 3.2 IP, 5 H, ER, 3 K, BB) that scored Maddison Schofield to make it a 6-4 game. TAMIU would continue to battle as they had the bases juiced with two outs but Gamboa popped out to the shortstop to settle the 6-4 victory for the Hilltoppers.

Game 2: Texas A&M International 5, St. Edward's 4

In the bottom of the second inning, St. Edward's got on the board first and put together a pair of runs on an error by first baseman, Alyssa Contreras to give the Hilltoppers a 2-0 advantage.

TAMIU quickly countered in the top of the third as Schofield (2-for-3, 2 RBI, BB) smacked a two-run double to right center field off of Hilltoppers starter, Julisa Ortega (L, 3-7: 5.1 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 4 K, 3 BB) that allowed Paul and Gamboa to touch home and knot the game at two apiece.  

In the top of the fourth frame the Dustdevils continued to pour on the runs as Smith (1-for-2, RBI, 2 R, SB) hit a go-ahead solo home run, her fourth of the season, over the right field fence to give the road team a 3-2 lead. Later in the inning, Paul hit a RBI single to brought home Sumer Woodson that gave TAMIU a two-run edge (4-2).

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Shelby Janda (2-for-3, RBI) hit a double off of Dustdevils starter, Melanie Lint (W, 3-5: 4 IP, 6 H, 3 R, ER, 2 BB)  that scored Valerie Brant (2-for-2, 2 R) to cut the Dustdevils' lead to one (4-3).

The Dustdevils would go on to stretch their lead back to two runs (5-3) when Paul reached base on a fielder's choice that scored Smith in the top of the sixth inning.

The home team countered in the sixth inning as a single by Ty'Eryka Preston (2-for-3, RBI) off of Jenika Lombrana (SV: 3 IP, 4 H, ER, BB) scored Brant and put the Hilltoppers within one run (5-4).

In the final inning, Lombrana gave up a leadoff walk but retired the next three batters to pick up her second save of the season and secure the 5-4 Heartland Conference road victory for the Dustdevils.  

The Dustdevils continue their road trip with a non-conference doubleheader at Texas A&M Kingsville (28-5) on Tuesday, April 9 at 5 p.m.