COMMERCE, Texas – Texas A&M International University softball (2-7) capped off the TAMUC/UT Tyler Invitational and dropped an 8-0 decision to the Rogers State Hillcats (5-2) and defeated the Arkansas-Monticello Boll Weevils (1-2) by a score of 10-9, respectively, on Saturday.

Game 1: Rogers State 8, Texas A&M International 0 (5 Inn.)

In the home half of the the second inning, the Hillcats put together registered seven runs (all with two outs) off of Dustdevil starter Denise Longoria (L, 0-3: 4.1 IP, 7 H, 8 ER, 3 K, 4 BB). The inning was highlighted by a Danelle Day three-run home run that cleared the left field fence to plate home Jaylan Gibson (1-for-2, RBI, 2 R) and Sabrina Anguiano (1-for-3, 2 RBI, R).

Hillcat starter Andrea Morales put together a masterful performance as she retired the Dustdevils in order through the first four innings as she was three outs away from a perfect game.

In the top of the final inning, Briana Arredondo smacked a leadoff double to left center field off of Hillcat starter Andrea Morales (W, 5-0: 5 IP, H, 0 R, 7 K, 0 BB) to end her bid for a perfect game.
 
Arredondo would ultimately be the only baserunner for TAMIU as the Hillcats would go on to secure the 8-0 run-rule victory.  

Game 2: Texas A&M International 10, Arkansas-Monticello 9 

The Dustdevils stepped on the gas early as they erupted for five runs in the opening inning off of Boll Weevil starter, Hannah Hutson (ND, 0-0: 0.1 IP, 4 H, 5 ER, 0 K, BB). The inning was highlighted by an Alyssa Contreras (2-for-4, 4 RBI, R, SB) two-RBI single to center field that plated Briana Arredondo (3-for-3, 3 R, BB) and Shelby Edwards. 

In the road half of the second inning, Hannah Holdbrook (1-for-3, 2 RBI, 3B, R) smacked a triple to center field off of Dustdevil starter Melanie Lint (ND, 0-3: 5.1 IP, 8 H, 9 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 3 K) that scored a pair of Boll Weevils to slash TAMIU's lead to three (5-2). 

In the bottom of the third inning, the Dustdevils registered another run on an RBI double by Victoria Maldonado (1-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 R) to center field off of UAM relief pitcher, Alexis Pevehouse (L, 0-1: 6 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 3 ER 2 K, 5 BB) to give TAMIU a four-run cushion (6-2). 

The Boll Weevils chipped away at the deficit as they tallied a run in the fourth inning on a Katelynn Stamper (2-for-5, RBI, R) single and another run in the fifth inning that scored on a Sydney Webster double to center field that cut TAMIU's lead in half (6-4). 

In the top of the sixth inning, UAM put compiled a five-run inning of its own as Caroline Tedder and Sydney Webster (2-for-3, 2 RBI, R, BB) drew walks while the bases were juiced before pinch hitter Mackenzie Rodgers hit a two-run single off of Dustdevil relief pitcher, Miranda Martinez (W, 1-1: 1.2 IP, H, 0 R, BB, K) that gave UAM a 9-6 edge. 

After Martinez retired the Boll Weevils in order in the top of the seventh inning, the Dustdevils rallied back in the bottom of the last inning. 

In the home half of the seventh frame with one out, Contreras was clutch as she delivered a double off of Pevehouse that would prove to be her second two-RBI hit of the game, that brought TAMIU within one run (9-8). After Heather Ruiz (1-for-3, RBI, R, BB) drew a walk, UAM brought in relief pitcher Kaylee Freeman to face Christina Garcia.

Garcia hit a fly ball to the left fielder, Holdbrook, who misplayed it and allowed Ruiz and Jordan Meza to cross the plate and give TAMIU a dramatic 10-9 walk-off victory.

The Dustdevils will start the Angelo State University George & Ola McCorkle Challenge on Friday, Feb. 14 with showdowns against New Mexico Highlands at 10 a.m. and Angelo State (6-3) at 2:30 p.m.