LAREDO, Texas – Texas A&M International baseball (8-24, 7-23 LSC) rallied down 5-0 to walk off Eastern New Mexico (8-27, 7-25 LSC) in the 7-6 series finale victory on Saturday.
After both starters worked a scoreless opening frame, the Greyhounds exploded for four runs in the second inning. A sacrifice fly to center brought in the first run followed by an RBI fielder's choice with the other two runs coming on a two RBI single to right. They added another run on a wild pitch in the fourth inning to go up 5-0.
The Dustdevils pulled within one run at 5-4 in the sixth inning. Ariben Gutierrez got things started as he scored Paris Johnson on an error by the second baseman. Later in the inning, Daniel Quiroz launched his first career home run over the right center field wall to plate Gutierrez and Brock Hargens.
ENMU got a run back in the seventh to push out to 6-4 on an RBI single through the right side of the infield.
TAMIU once again cut the lead to one at 6-5 in the eighth. Ronnie Bailey scored Quiroz on a sacrifice fly to center.
In the bottom of the ninth, Philip Sanchez reached first on an error by the shortstop and Hargens was hit by a pitch to get on. After a pitching change, both runners moved up on a wild pitch. Gutierrez then dropped a ball deep enough into left field to allow both Sanchez and Hargens to score and give the Dustdevils the 7-6 walk-off victory.
Hugo Mendiola (2-3) earned the win with 0.2 innings pitched, one hit, no runs, no walks and no strikeouts. James Romero (1-4) suffered the loss.
TAMIU will close out the regular season at home with a three-game series against Cameron beginning with a doubleheader on Friday, April 30. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.