LAREDO, Texas – Sophomore Erika Cortez threw another masterful game, but was on the wrong side of the ledger as Texas A&M International softball (6-5, 1-1 LSC) fell to St. Mary's (5-7, 1-1 LSC) in game one, 1-0. In game two, the Dustdevils struck immediately on a leadoff home run and held on for a 7-6 win in a back and forth matchup.
 
Game 1: St. Mary's 1, Texas A&M International 0
 
In game one of the conference doubleheader series, the Dustdevils and Rattlers battled it out in a pitcher's duel.
 
Through four innings, both Cortez and St. Mary's starting pitcher Sara Robertson stifled the offenses, combining to allow just three hits during those frames.
 
In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Dustdevils had a golden opportunity, loading the bases with no outs. Unfortunately, the next two batters struck out looking and grounded into a double play to end the threat.
 
In the top of the sixth, the Rattlers led off with a single, followed by a Dustdevil error and another single to load the bases. St. Mary's then pushed the lone run across drawing a walk. With the bases still loaded, Cortez set the next two batters down on strikes and got the third out on a fielder's choice.
 
In their final two chances, the Dustdevils were set down in order in the sixth and left a runner on first in the seventh.
 
Cortez threw another complete game allowing just one run, five hits, one walk and struck out 13 Rattlers.
 
Offensively, the Dustdevils put together just four hits against Robertson, but freshman first baseman Victoria Gonzalez put together a 3-for-3 outing at the plate.
 
Game 2: Texas A&M International 7, St. Mary's 6
 
The Dustdevils struck immediately in game two, taking a 2-0 lead after the first inning.
 
Senior Morgan Chavarria led-off the inning with her second homerun of the season to take a 1-0 lead.
 
The Dustdevils scored again, when junior Darian Smith singled to drive in freshman Chelsea Salinas for the 2-0 lead.
 
The Rattlers pulled ahead in the top of the third, scoring three runs between the second and third innings.
 
In the second inning, St. Mary's received an RBI single from Amber Gonzales to cut the deficit to 2-1 and in the third inning, took the lead on an RBI single from Abigale Carney that drove in one run, but scored a second run on a Dustdevil error.
 
TAMIU responded in the bottom of the fourth inning, scoring three runs to take a 5-3 lead.
 
The Dustdevils pushed a run across when senior Shelby Edwards singled with two outs and Salinas scored from first thanks to a dropped ball on a play at the plate.
 
Gonzales then followed hitting a towering two-run home run to take the two run lead.
 
The Rattlers quickly cut the deficit to 5-4 in the top of the fifth on a Carney home run, but the Dustdevils countered in the bottom of the inning to take a 7-4 lead on a two RBI infield single by Chavarria.
 
St. Mary's still fought to cut the deficit to 7-6 in the sixth inning, scoring two runs on singles by Jayme Johns and Carney, but were shut down in the seventh inning for the Dustdevil victory.
 
Salinas picked up the victory on the mound, throwing 5.1 innings, allowing six runs (four earned), five hits and one strikeout to go with five walks.
 
In relief, senior Miranda Martinez allowed two hits in 2/3 innings, while fellow senior Melanie Lint picked up the save, setting the Rattlers down in order.
 
Offensively, senior Shelby Edwards went 3-for-4, while Chavarria and Smith both contributed two hits to the ledger.
 
TAMIU returns to the field on Sunday for another conference doubleheader against St. Edward's. First pitch for game one from Dustdevil Softball Field is set for 12:10 p.m.