LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas A&M International baseball looked to steal a game of the series against Lubbock Christian in game four, but dropped a hard-fought battle, 12-8.
 
Lubbock Christian jumped ahead in the bottom of the first, scoring a single run to make it a 1-0 game.
 
TAMIU hit the scoreboard in the top of the third, taking a 4-1 lead with the four run inning.
 
Graduate student Daniel Hernandez tied the game with an RBI hit by pitch, followed by a three RBI double from senior Ariben Gutierrez.
 
However, the Chaps responded with a five run bottom half of the third to take the lead right back at 6-4.
 
The Dustdevils would score a run in both the fourth and fifth innings, but Lubbock Christian countered with three in the fourth, two in the fifth and one in the six.
 
Senior Ronnie Bailey singled in the TAMIU run in the fourth and Hernandez pick up his second RBI of the game with an RBI single of his own in the fifth.
 
Trailing 12-6 in the seventh, the Dustdevils scored the final two runs of the contest in the top of the frame on a two RBI double by freshman Alex Lugo.
 
Senior Joseph Garza-Delapena threw three innings in the start, allowing eight runs, 10 hits, one walk and struck out seven of the nine outs he pitched.
 
Sophomore Adrian Talavera pitched two innings of relief, allowing three runs, three hits, two walks and two strikeouts.
 
Fellow sophomore Rolando Riza toed the rubber for three innings out of the bullpen and allowed one run, three hits, two walks and fanned three.
 
TAMIU had 12 hits on the days, with Gutierrez leading the way with a 3-for-5 showing with three RBI.
 
Junior Mario Chacon (2-for-4, 3 R) and Lugo (2-for-5, 2 RBI) both had a multi-hit game, while five others had a single hit.
 
The Dustdevils return home on Friday, Mar. 18 to begin a four game series against Angelo State. First pitch from Jorge Haynes Field is set for 1 p.m.