SAN ANGELO, Texas – Sophomore Erika Cortez threw an eight inning, complete game shutout and junior Darrian Smith hit a walk-off two run home run to give Texas A&M International (5-4) its second top 10 victory in three days, upsetting #4 UT Tyler (3-2) 2-0.
 
The two victories are the first time TAMIU has defeated two top 10 teams in a single season in program history, as well as the first time winning two games against a ranked opponent in the same weekend since beating #11 West Texas A&M in a doubleheader on April 22, 2018.
 
In an instant classic, Cortez and UT Tyler's Payton Foster put on an incredible pitching display that took the game into extra innings scoreless.
 
Through the first seven frames, the two teams combined for just nine hits.
 
UT Tyler had chances in the fifth and seventh innings, getting a runner to third base, but were unable to push a run across each time.
 
TAMIU only put one runner in scoring position the first six innings. In the fourth inning, freshman Victoria Gonzalez singled, but freshman pinch runner Nyomi Moncivais was thrown out at third base for the final out of the inning.
 
The Dustdevils had their other chance in the bottom of the seventh when freshman Chelsea Salinas singled to open the frame and then stole second. With one out, Gonzalez singled to put runners on the corners. Unfortunately, the Dustdevils were set down by way of a fly out and ground out to send the game to extra innings.
 
Using the International Tiebreaker rule, in extra innings, the last out of the previous inning begins at second base.
 
In the top of the eighth, UT Tyler loaded the bases with no outs after a hit batter and infield single. Cortez locked in and forced a pop out and then two consecutive strikeouts kept the game scoreless.
 
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Smith wasted no time at the plate, belting a walk-off two run home run on the first pitch to complete the upset.
 
Cortez, improved to 3-2 on the season and did so allowing no runs and six hits to go along with six strikeouts.
 
Offensively, Gonzalez led the way going 2-for-3 while Smith, Salinas and senior Morgan Chavarria all collected a hit.
 
The Dustdevils are back on the diamond Feb 28 when they face Lone Star Conference foe Texas A&M-Kingsville in a non-conference doubleheader. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 12:10 p.m.