LAREDO, Texas – Sophomore Erika Cortez led Texas A&M International (8-5, 3-1 LSC) to a 2-0 game one victory over St. Edward's (3-5, 0-4 LSC), continuing her dominance on the mound, striking out 10 Hilltoppers. In game two, the Dustdevils jumped ahead immediately in the first inning and added to its total in the second inning, to defeat St. Edward's 9-1 in five innings.
 
Game 1: Texas A&M International 2, St. Edward's 0
 
After two scoreless frames, both teams had an opportunity to bring runs across, but it was the Dustdevils opening the scoring in the bottom of the third inning.
 
Freshman Chelsea Salinas broke the scoreless tie with her first career home run to make it 1-0.
 
With two outs, junior Darrian Smith hit an RBI double to give TAMIU a 2-0 lead.
 
The Dustdevils had opportunities to add to their lead in the fourth and fifth innings, putting two runners on in each frame, but were unable to push a run across.
 
In the top of the sixth, the Hilltoppers put a runner in scoring position, but like in the top of the third when St. Edward's had two runners in scoring position, Cortez shut the door to hold the 2-0 lead.
 
Cortez threw her seventh complete game of the season and second shutout, allowing just three hits to go with her 10 strikeouts.
 
Offensively, the Dustdevils put together just four hits against the Hilltoppers. Salinas, Smith, Cortez and senior Morgan Chavarria all collected a hit each.
 
Game 2: Texas A&M International 9, St. Edward's 1
 
The Dustdevils struck immediately in game two, taking a 4-0 lead after the first inning and a 9-0 lead after two innings.
 
In the first inning, Chavarria scored on a wild pitch to make it 1-0, followed by an RBI single by Smith to make it 2-0. The Dustdevils extended the lead to 4-0 when senior Shelby Edwards scored after a Hilltopper error and freshman Victoria Gonzalez scored on an RBI fielder's choice off the bat of sophomore Victoria Maldonado.
 
TAMIU's lead grew in the second inning, starting with an RBI groundout by Gonzales to make it 5-0. Two batters later, junior Briana Arredondo made the score 7-0 on a two RBI double. Runs eight and nine came across by way of RBI singles from senior Christina Garcia and Maldonado.
 
The Hilltoppers lone run came in the top of the fourth inning when Alexis Massie scored from third thanks to a rundown started by Morgan Arcia attempting to steal second.
Salinas improved to 2-0 on the season, throwing four innings, allowing one run, three hits and three strikeouts to go with two walks.
 
Sophomore Paige Sasser ended the game on the mound and allowed one hit in her inning of work.
 
Offensively, Garcia led the way with a 2-for-3 showing at the plate, while five other Dustdevils each had a hit. Edwards and Salinas led the team in runs scored, both crossing the plate twice.
 
With a three game win streak currently, TAMIU takes to the road for the first time in conference play and faces #11 Oklahoma Christian in Oklahoma City, Okla. First pitch for game one of the doubleheader on March 12 is set for 3 p.m.