SAN ANTONIO - No. 5 Texas A&M International University softball (26-32) fell 7-6 (9 Inn.) in the 2019 Heartland Conference Championship to the No. 4 seeded Lubbock Christian University Lady Chaparrals (32-18) on Friday afternoon. The second loss to the Lady Chaps in the 2019 Heartland Conference Championship eliminates the Dustdevils from postseason play.

In the home half of the second inning, Lubbock Christian scored a trio of runs off of TAMIU starter, Sara Caterson (ND: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, ER) that was highlighted by a two-RBI double down the right field by K'leigh Arredondo that brought home KK Lopez-Liu (2-for-3, RBI, R) and Christiana Saenz.  

In the top of third inning, Morgan Chavarria (2-for-5, RBI) reached base on a fielder's choice that plated home Erin Mosley to shrink the deficit back down to two (3-1).

The Lady Chaps quickly countered in the bottom of the third inning on a solo home run by Alivia Villarreal (2-for-4, RBI, R) off of relief pitcher, Jenika Lombrana (L,13-14: 6.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 4 K, BB) that cleared the left field fence to give Lubbock Christian a 4-1 lead.

In the top of the sixth, the Dustdevils tried to ignite a rally after Lindsey Smith reached first on a dropped third strike. Following the dropped third strike, Jordan Meza (2-for-2, BB) stepped up to the plate and slapped a pinch-hit double to left center field that advanced Smith to third base. The next hitter, Heather Ruiz (2-for-3, 2 RBI) hit a sacrifice fly to center field that plated home Smith to bring TAMIU within two (4-2).

In the home half of the sixth frame, the Lady Chaps Morgan Dufour and Alexa Riggs both knocked RBI singles to give the Lady Chaps a four-run lead (6-2) heading into the seventh inning.

In the top of the seventh inning the Dustdevils came alive, as Maddison Schofield smacked a three-run home run to center field off of relief pitcher, Jordan Wehr (W, 14-5: 4.1 IP, H, 5 ER, 4 K, 4 BB) to bring home both Maya Paul and Melanie Gamboa to put TAMIU within striking distance (6-5). Later in the inning, Heather Ruiz (2-for-3, 2 RBI) stepped up to the plate with two outs and runners on first and second. After looking at a ball to start the at-bat Ruiz slapped a single to right field to bring home the game tying run, Gabrielle Mitchell that sent the game into extras.

The Dustdevils tried to carry their momentum in the ninth inning when drew Meza and Ruiz drew back-to-back walks to load the bases with one out. The next hitters Mosley and Gamboa were unable to capitalize with the bases juiced.  

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Lubbock Christian's Megan Darling hit a walk-off single to left center field to secure the 7-6 victory for the Lady Chaps.