KINGSVILLE, Texas - Texas A&M International University softball (19-26) dropped a 4-0 decision in the opening matchup and won the finale by a score of 6-5 in the finale of a non-conference doubleheader at Texas A&M University-Kingsville (32-6).

Game 1: No. 5 Texas A&M-Kingsville 4, Texas A&M International 0

The first few innings of the opening matchup in the non-conference doubleheader was highlighted by phenomenal pitching performances. Javelina starter, Saidi Castillo (W, 19-3: 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 8 K, 0 BB) and Dustdevils starter Jenika Lombrana (L, 8-11: 6 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 5 K, BB) were both working on perfect games until Makenzie Mays was hit by a pitch to put a runner on base for TAMUK in the bottom of the third inning.

Two batters later, Claire Chernosky smacked an RBI double to center field on the 12th pitch of the at-bat that brought home Mays to give the Javelinas a 1-0 edge after three innings of play.

The Dustdevils ended Castillo's bid for a perfect game when Shelby Edwards hit a single up the middle to lead off the top of the fifth inning.

In the bottom of the fifth frame, the Javelinas used a pinch-hit three-run homer by Matisen Onofrei that brought home Jory Cervantes and Castillo to extend the lead to four (4-0). After the home run, Lombrana settled down in the circle and closed out her 15th complete game of the season.

Morgan Chavarria led off the final inning with a single to left center field in an attempt to mount a comeback, however it was not enough as Castillo secured the 4-0 victory by putting together a two-hit complete-game shutout.

Game 2: Texas A&M International 6, No. 5 Texas A&M-Kingsville 5 

In top of the first inning, Maya Paul (2-for-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI) smacked a leadoff home run, her fourth blast of the season, down the left field line off of Javelinas starter, Victoria Carrion (L, 3-1: 4 IP,  H, 6 ER, 5 K, 4 BB).

After the leadoff homer, Jordan Meza hit an infield single and was followed by back-to-back walks drawn by Maddison Schofield and Edwards (2-for-3, R), respectively, to load the bases with no outs. Later in the inning, Carrion walked her third hitter of the frame, Alyssa Contreras, while the bases were juiced that scored Edwards and extended the Dustdevils lead to two (2-0).

In the home half of the first, the Javelinas countered off of TAMIU starter, Sara Caterson (W, 7-7: 5 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 0 K, BB) by compiling three runs in the inning. A two-run roundtripper by Anastasia Leibas highlighted the inning and give TAMUK a 3-2 lead.

The Dustdevils refused to go away quietly as Paul hit her second home run of the game, her fifth homer of the season, that plated home Melanie Gamboa (2-for-3, R) and Lindsey Smith (3-for-4, R) in the top of the fourth inning that gave TAMIU a 5-3 edge.

In the home half of the fourth, Jory Cervantes grounded out to second baseman, Gamboa, but it scored a run and slashed the Javelinas' deficit to one (5-4).

In the top of the fifth inning, TAMIU would get that run back as Contreras grounded out to the pitcher that scored Schofield to bring its lead back to a pair of runs (6-4).

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Texas A&M-Kingsville had an opportunity to close the gap with a runner on second base with one out, but the Dustdevils turned a crucial 5-3-5 double play as Loren Kelly (3-for-3, R) tried to advance to third on the Roxy Chapa groundout, but was thrown out by first baseman, Erin Mosley.

The Javelinas fought back in the bottom of the sixth when Cervantes scored on a wild pitch thrown by Dustdevils relief pitcher, Melanie Lint (SV: 2 IP, H, 0 ER, K, 2 BB) to make it a 6-5 game in favor of the road team. Lint managed to escape any more trouble and ultimately struck out Chernosky swinging.    

In the bottom of the final frame with two outs, the Javelinas put the winning run at second base and the tying at third base with Veronica Chavez at the dish. Lint got Chavez to groundout to the third baseman, Paul, to secure the 6-5 road victory.

The Dustdevils continue their non-conference schedule with a twin bill on the road at Tarleton State (30-9) on Tuesday, April 16 at 1 p.m.