CONROE, Texas – Texas A&M International University softball (0-4) continued the Arkansas Tech Winter Invitational and dropped decisions to the Harding Lady Bisons (2-2) and the Pittsburg State Gorillas (2-2), respectively, on Saturday. 

Game 1: Harding 5, Texas A&M International 0    

In the first two innings, Dustdevil starter Denise Longoria (L, 0-2: 4 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 2 ER, K, BB) and Lady Bison starter, Jenna Hipp (W, 1-0: 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 5 K, BB) were locked in a scoreless tie.  

In the home half of the third inning, Harding used back-to-back RBI doubles by Hannah Garrett (2-for-4, 2 R, RBI) and Hanna Jones (2-for-3, RBI, R), respectively, to take a 2-0 advantage.

In the bottom of the fourth frame, Kendall Trammel hit a run-scoring single that plated home Faith Waugh to extend their lead to three (3-0). 

In the top of the fifth inning, TAMIU tried to put a two-out rally together as Kristy Alanis (2-for-3) recorded slapped a single to left field to put runners on first and second. The next batter, Jordan Meza reached base on an error by Lady Bison shortstop, Jones to load the bases for Heather Ruiz. Ruiz attempted to get the Dustdevils in the run column, but she grounded out to Hipp to conclude the inning. 

Harding would add a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to settle the 5-0 final. 

Game 2: Pittsburg State 5, Texas A&M International 4

TAMIU starter, Melanie Lint (ND, 0-1: 5.1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 K) forfeited just two hits in the first three innings to temporarily silence the Pittsburg State offense.

Kaylee Burnett (ND, 1-0: 5.1 IP, 10 H, 4 ER, 4 K) started off strong in the circle for the Gorillas as she struck out a trio of Dustdevils throughout the opening three innings and did not allow a run either.
   
In the fourth inning, the Dustdevils broke the scoring ice as Briana Arredondo (3-for-4, HR, 2 2B, RBI, 2 R) smacked a solo home run off of Burnett that sailed over the left field fence.

The Gorillas quickly responded in the home half of the fourth frame when Kylee Bohle hit a sacrifice fly to left field that plated home Makenzie Goswick (2-for-3, R) and knotted the game at one apiece.  

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Pittsburg State's Kaity Kukowski launched a two-run home run off of Lint that cleared the left center field fence to give the Gorillas a 3-1 lead. 

The top of the sixth frame, TAMIU rallied back as they used five-straight hits to begin the inning. Ruiz smacked a leadoff single to right field and was followed by an Arredondo double to put runners on second and third. Morgan Chavarria then drove home a pair of runs on a triple to right field that tied the game at three. Victoria Maldonado (2-for-3, 2B, RBI) then used a single to right field to score Chavarria and give TAMIU a 4-3 edge.

Pittsburg State countered in the bottom of the sixth inning as Keelah Griffith (2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI) hit a two-run home run to center field off of Dustdevil relief pitcher, Miranda Martinez (L, 0-1: 0.2 IP, H,  ER, K) that scored Madison Wegner to put the Gorillas ahead 5-4. 

In the top of the last inning, TAMIU tried to battle back against Gorilla relief pitcher, Maddison Morris (W, 1-0: 1.2 IP, H, 0 R, K) as they put runners on first and third with two outs for Chavarria, but she hit a ground ball to the shortstop who threw it to the second baseman to complete the fielder's choice and cap off the 5-4 final.

The Dustdevils conclude the Arkansas Tech Winter Invitational tomorrow, Sunday, February 2 with a matchup against Southeastern Oklahoma State at 10 a.m. in Conroe, Texas.