DENTON, Texas – Texas A&M International softball opened Lone Star Conference road play with a doubleheader against Texas Woman's. In game one, the Pioneers got the best of TAMIU 8-0 in five innings, and did so again, defeating the Dustdevils 8-3 in game two.

GAME 1: Texas Woman's 8 TAMIU 0 F/5

TAMIU (7-9, 3-2 LSC) threatened in the top of the first inning, having a runner reach scoring position, and did so again in the third and fourth innings, but each time were unable to hit the scoreboard.

Texas Woman's (8-4, 4-1 LSC) scored the opening tally in the bottom of the second with a bases loaded walk and then in the bottom of the third made it 3-0 with a two-run home run.

The Pioneers concluded the scoring with five runs in the fourth inning. An RBI single and then another two-run homer, followed immediately by a solo home run made the score its eventual final.

Junior Erika Cortez got the start for the Dustdevils, and tossed 3.1 innings, allowing eight runs (six earned), six hits, five walks and struck out one.

Sophomore Tessa Ramirez threw the remaining 0.2 inning and did so without allowing a hit.

As a unit, the Dustdevils had three hits offensively, with sophomore Kristin Maldonado's 2-for-3 leading the way.

GAME 2: Texas Woman's 8 TAMIU 3

TAMIU was the first to hit the scoreboard in game two, when sophomore Eva Garcia drove in a run with an RBI single in the top of the second to make it 1-0.

The Dustdevils wasted no time adding to the lead when graduate Victoria Maldonado doubled in a run in the top of the third inning to double the lead to 2-0.

Texas Woman's would hit the scoreboard in the bottom of the third inning, with a solo home run to make it a 2-1 game, while leaving the potential tying run stranded in scoring position.

The Pioneers took the lead in the bottom of the fourth with their third two-run homer of the day to make it a 3-2 score.

TAMIU quickly responded in the top of the fifth after an error allowed junior Kristy Alanis to score to even the game at 3-3.

Texas Woman's yet again wasted no time jumping in front again, plating four runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 7-3 lead.

An RBI double started the scoring, followed by a sacrifice fly, an RBI hit batter and RBI walk.

The Pioneers concluded the scoring in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI to make it the final of 8-3.

Senior Darrian Smith got the start in the circle and in 4.2 innings allowed seven runs, six hits, walked three and fanned three.

Freshman Celeste Apaez closed the fifth inning in her 0.1 innings of work, while Ramirez pitched in relief again, this time allowing one run, two hits, one walk and struck out one in one inning.

The Dustdevils collected six hits in the back half of the doubleheader, with Alanis leading the way with a 2-for-3 showing, while scoring two of the three TAMIU runs.

The Dustdevils close out the series against Texas Woman's on Wednesday, Feb. 22 with a 12 p.m. first pitch from Denton, Texas.