LAREDO, Texas – Texas A&M International softball (8-7, 3-3 LSC) fell to #10 Oklahoma Christian (14-2, 6-0 LSC) in both games of the doubleheader on Friday. Game one saw the Eagles bring dominant pitching, while game two saw the Dustdevils come from seven runs down, only for Oklahoma Christian to wipe away the chance of another top 10 upset for TAMIU late.
 
Game 1: #10 Oklahoma Christian 4 Texas A&M International 1
 
Behind LSC Preseason Pitcher of the Year Kali Crandell, Oklahoma Christian opened the series with a 4-1 victory over the Dustdevils.
 
In the bottom of the first, the Eagles took a 1-0 lead on an RBI single by Whitney Walde and expanded the lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the second when Kylie Janzen scored during a rundown created by Hannah Pate attempting to steal second base.
 
The Dustdevils cut the deficit to 2-1 in the fourth inning when junior Briana Arredondo singled in sophomore pinch runner Sarah Chavez.
 
The Eagles concluded the game's scoring in the fifth inning when Brooklin Bain tripled in a run and scored on the next play by way of a sacrifice fly.
 
Sophomore Erika Cortez (4-4) threw her eighth complete game of the season, allowing four runs (three earned), six hits, four strikeouts and three walks.
 
Offensively, the Dustdevils put together just four hits against Crandell. Arredondo, Cortez, junior Darrian Smith and freshman Victoria Gonzalez all collected a single hit each for TAMIU.
 
Game 2: Oklahoma Christian 12 Texas A&M International 10
 
Oklahoma Christian once again opened the scoring in game two when it took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first.
 
TAMIU responded immediately in the top of the second when sophomore Victoria Maldonado drove in Arredondo on an RBI fielder's choice to make the score 2-1
 
The Eagles went on to take a 6-1 lead in the bottom of the third, scoring a single run in the bottom of the second and three in the third on two RBI singles and an RBI walk.
 
In the fourth inning, the Dustdevils cut the deficit to 6-2 scoring on an Eagles error, but Oklahoma Christian put three more runs on the board in the bottom of the inning to build a 9-2 lead.
 
In the fifth inning, everything clicked for TAMIU, scoring eight runs to take a 10-9 lead.
 
Three wild pitch and three walks scored six of the Dustdevil runs in the frame with Gonzalez and sophomore Kristy Alanis driving in the other two runs with an RBI fielder's choice and RBI single respectively.
 
Just six outs away from its third victory over a top 10 team in 2021, TAMIU relinquished its 10-9 lead after a solo home run by Bain and a two-run home run by Walde gave the Eagles the 12-10 edge.
 
Freshman Chelsea Salinas started the game for the Dustdevils, allowing six runs, seven hits, three strikeouts and walked seven. Senior Miranda Martinez and sophomore Paige Sasser worked relief for TAMIU and allowed six runs, seven hits, one strikeout and a walk combined.
 
Offensively, Smith, Alanis and senior Morgan Chavarria led the way with two hits each, while Maldonado drove in two runs for the game.
 
The Dustdevils must quickly put the two losses behind them as they prepare to finish the tour of Oklahoma when they face Cameron in a doubleheader on Sunday in Lawton. First pitch for game one is scheduled for noon.