CONROE, Texas – Texas A&M International softball nearly secured its first win of the season in game one of today's doubleheader against Southeastern Oklahoma State, but fell in the bottom of the seventh 3-2, followed by a 7-0 defeat at the hands of #20 Central Oklahoma in game two.
Game 1: Southeastern Oklahoma State 3, Texas A&M International 2
After three scoreless innings, it was the Dustdevils who broke through first, when junior
Briana Arredondo singled home fellow junior
Heather Ruiz in the top of the fourth to make the score 1-0.
In the top of the sixth, TAMIU added to its lead, making it 2-0 when sophomore
Sarah Chavez drew a throwing error stealing second to score Ruiz.
However, despite being down in the seventh, Southeastern Oklahoma State sparked for three runs to walk it off and defeat the Dustdevils.
Junior
Darrian Smith was stellar on the mound, allowing one run, one hit, two walks and struck out eight in six innings of work.
Fellow junior
Carla Arellano pitched 2/3 of an inning, allowing two runs, three hits and struck out one.
Offensively, Ruiz led the charge with a 3-for-3 showing with two runs scored, while Arredondo, graduate student
Victoria Maldonado and freshman
Sara Papizan all had a hit each.
Game 2: Harding 14, Texas A&M International 6 F/6
After losing a heartbreaker, TAMIU had the task of facing yet another Top 20 opponent, facing #20 Central Oklahoma.
After a scoreless top of the first, it was Central Oklahoma who exploded for seven runs over the next two innings.
In the second, the Bronchos scored three runs, two coming from a home run, and then scored four in the third off a grand slam.
The Dustdevils were stifled offensively, managing just three hits, as Ruiz, Papizan and freshman
Eva Garcia all hand one apiece.
Sophomore
Chelsea Salinas got the start and in one-plus innings allowed one run, one hits and struck out one.
Arellano in relief allowed six runs and six hits over 1.2 innings, while Papizan allowed no runs, no hits, a walk and two strikeouts in 3.1 innings of work.
The Dustdevils wrap up play in Conroe, Texas tomorrow, beginning at 10 a.m. against Rogers State, who is receiving votes in the opening poll. The tournament for TAMIU then concludes at 2 p.m. against #16 Southern Arkansas.
