LAREDO, Texas – Texas A&M International baseball (5-11, 5-11 LSC) dropped the first of a three-game series 7-4 to Lubbock Christian (5-8, 4-6 LSC) on Friday.

With gusty conditions throughout the game, the Chaps scored all of their first four runs on solo homers to take a 4-0 lead through five innings.

The Dustdevils finally had an answer as they pulled within one run at 4-3 after scoring three runs in the bottom of the seventh. Antonio Buentello got in on the home run action with a two-run blast of his own to left to bring home Jerry Villareal. A wild pitch later in the inning scored Luis Flores.

LCU got a run back in the top of the eight to push back out to 5-3. The run came in on an RBI double to left center.

TAMIU responded again with a run in the bottom half of the inning to get back to 5-4. An error by the second baseman with the bases loaded plated Matt Kissamis.

The Chaps sealed the win with two more runs in the top of the ninth for the 7-4 victory. Both runs came in on a two RBI single through the left side of the infield.

Shandon Herrera (2-1) earned the win, with Cade Acrey (1) earning the save. Zach Pena (1-2) took the loss.

Both teams will face off in game two of the series tomorrow. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.