OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Texas A&M International baseball regrouped after losing the opening two games of the series Sunday, to win games three and four over Oklahoma Christian by final scores of 5-0 and 13-8.
 
GAME 1: Texas A&M International 5 Oklahoma Christian 0
 
TAMIU came out of the gates with a fantastic performance by sophomore pitcher Jan Cabrera in the shutout victory.
 
In the top of the third inning, the Dustdevils broke the scoreless tie when senior Ronnie Bailey singled in what would be the game-winning run.
 
TAMIU grew its lead to 3-0 in the top of the sixth when junior Antonio Buentello doubled in a run and then a wild pitch scored the other.
 
The final two runs for the Dustdevils came off the bat of Bailey yet again, hitting a two-run home run in the top of the seventh.
 
Cabrera was incredible on the mound, allowing just two hits and striking out seven in the complete game, shutout performance.
 
Offensively, Bailey led the way at the plate for TAMIU, going 3-for-4 with the three RBI. Six other Dustdevils contributed a hit to the column as well.
 
GAME 2: Texas A&M International 13 Oklahoma Christian 8
 
Game two was the opposite of game one, as the offenses put on the show.
 
Oklahoma Christian took the lead in the bottom of the first inning, 1-0, but TAMIU immediately responded in the top of the second, with an RBI single by senior Brock Hargens.
 
The Eagles to a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the third on an RBI single, however, the Dustdevils yet again responded immediately in the top of the fourth, thanks to a Buentello solo home run and sacrifice fly by senior Ariben Gutierrez, making the score 3-2.
 
A home run and double by Oklahoma Christian in the bottom of the fourth made the score 4-3.
 
The fifth and six innings were all TAMIU, bringing seven runs across to take a 10-4 lead.
 
In the five-run fifth inning, junior Leeandro Alfonzo and Bailey drove in one run each on RBI singles, Hargens drove in one on a double, and two crossed on a throwing error by the Eagles.
 
Buentello and junior Mario Chacon both singled in a run in the top of the sixth inning.
 
In the top of the seventh inning, Oklahoma Christian responded quickly, coming within striking distance after making the score 10-8 on an RBI groundout and three RBI double.
 
The Dustdevils wouldn't allow the comeback bid, with three insurance runs in the top of the ninth inning on a two RBI double by graduate student Daniel Hernandez and a sacrifice fly from fellow graduate senior Sergio Esqueda.
 
Senior Joseph Garza-Delapena got the start and improved to 2-1 after working six innings, allowing four runs, seven hits, one walk and striking out two.
 
Brandon Salazar worked 2/3 inning of relief, allowing four runs, four hits, a walk and a strikeout, then sophomore Rolando Riza closed the door, working 2.1 innings, allowing just one walk and fanning two.
 
Eight of the nine Dustdevils in the order collected a hit, with Hargens (3-for-5, 2 RBI), Chacon (2-for-3, 3 runs scored) and Buentello (2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 runs scored) all having a multi-hit showing.
 
After salvaging the series and splitting, TAMIU returns to the road on Wednesday, Mar. 2 for a non-conference matchup with Texas A&M-Kingsville in Kingsville, Texas at 6 p.m.