CANYON, Texas - Texas A&M International baseball (5-14, 5-14 LSC) dropped the series opener 14-4 to West Texas A&M (14-5, 14-5 LSC) in eight innings on Friday.

The Buffaloes got things started with three runs in the second inning for an early 3-0 lead. The first run scored on an RBI triple with the next run coming home while a runner was caught stealing second. A solo homer to center scored the final run of the inning.

TAMIU cut the lead to 3-1 in the top of the third. An Andrew Holsey RBI single to right brought home Phillip Sanchez. WT answered in the bottom half as they pushed their lead out to 6-1 with another three-run frame. An RBI single scored one run with a two RBI single scoring the other runs.

Both pitching staffs settled down and threw scoreless frames for the next four innings.

The Dustdevils pulled within two runs at 6-4 in the top of the eighth, as three runs came across. Sergio Esqueda scored on an Adrian Castillo RBI double down the left field line. Hunter Trinidad brought home both Castillo and Paris Johnson with a two RBI single to left center.

The Buffs counterpunched with eight runs in the bottom half of the frame to end the game early with a 14-4 victory. The first run scored on a sacrifice fly to center. Another run scored on an RBI double down the left field line. Six more runs scored on a two RBI single to left center, a two RBI double to center and a two RBI double to left center.

WT's Mathieu Gauthier (2-1) earned the win in the decision. TAMIU's J.J. Sanchez (0-3) took the loss.

The series continues on Saturday, March 7 with a seven-inning doubleheader.