LAWTON, Okla. – Texas A&M International baseball exploded on offense, to the tune of 18 runs, as it took the opening game of the final regular season series over Cameron, 18-8.
 
TAMIU wasted no time jumping of Cameron pitching, scoring six runs in the top of the first inning.
 
Graduate student Daniel Hernandez opened the game with a leadoff solo homer to make it 1-0 right away.
 
Later in the inning, senior Brock Hargens notched an RBI single and sophomore Daniel Quiroz belted a grand slam for the 6-0 lead.
 
The Aggies quickly cut the deficit in half, plating three runs in the bottom of the first to trail just 6-3.
 
Pitching took over innings two through four as both teams were held scoreless in those frames.
 
The Dustdevils added two more runs to take an 8-2 lead in the top of the fifth, with the first run scoring on a double play, followed by an RBI single from senior Ariben Gutierrez.
 
TAMIU then tripled up Cameron in the top of the seventh, when Quiroz again cleared the bases with his second grand-slam of the game.
 
The Aggies did respond however in the bottom of the seventh, to the tune of five runs, cutting the deficit to 12-8.
 
The Dustdevils added a run in the top of the eight, to lead 13-8, on a sacrifice fly by junior Matt Kissamis.
 
The final five TAMIU runs scored in the ninth inning, when junior Isaac Gonzalez and senior Ronnie Bailey drew bases loaded walks and Kissamis notched a two RBI double.
 
Freshman Christopher Sauceda got the start, posting a line of six innings, allowing five runs, seven hits, two walks and nine strikeouts.
 
Sophomore Andrew Delgadillo worked 2/3 of an inning, allowing the walks, three hits, one walk and two strikeouts.
 
Freshman Tristan Cavazos Reichwald finished the game with 2.1 hitless innings, striking out five of the seven batters he faced.
 
The Dustdevils scattered 13 hits in the game, with Kissamis (3-for-4, 4 RBI) and Hernandez (3-for-6, 3 runs scored) leading the way. Quiroz (2-for-5, 8 RBI) and junior Antonio Buentello (2-for-5) also had a multi-hit game.

TAMIU looks to continue its push for an LSC Tournament bid, tomorrow, Apr. 30 in doubleheader action. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.