LAWTON, Okla. – Texas A&M International baseball had its postseason aspirations thwarted at the hands of Cameron in the regular season finale, 12-5.
TAMIU jumped ahead immediately in the first inning, on an RBI single by junior
Antonio Buentello.
Cameron would respond in the bottom half of the frame to tie the game at 1-1, then added two more in the bottom of the third to lead 3-1.
Freshman
Alex Lugo tied the game in the top of the fifth at 3-3, kicking off a four run inning with a two run homer. Later in the inning, Buentello and senior
Brock Hargens hit back-to-back RBI singles to grow the lead to 5-3.
The Aggies would chip away in the bottom of the fifth with a run to make the score 5-4, before taking the lead in the bottom of the seventh at 6-5.
Unfortunately for TAMIU, Cameron found a way to put up a crooked number in the bottom of the eighth, scoring six runs to make it 12-5 and seal the victory.
Senior
Joseph Garza-Delapena got the start for the Dustdevils and in five innings, allowed four runs (three earned), six hits, one walk and struck out eight.
Six relievers combined to throw the final three innings, and allowed eight runs (seven earned), eight hits, three walks and struck out five.
TAMIU put together 12 hits throughout the game, with Buentello, Hargens, senior
Ronnie Bailey and juniors
Isaac Gonzalez and
Matt Kissamis all having a pair of hits to lead the way.
After a late surge to put themselves in a position to play in the postseason, the Dustdevils season concludes was a record of 20-30 overall and 20-28 in LSC play. The 20-win season is just the third time since joining NCAA Division II in 2008 and the first 20-win campaign since 2013.
