SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Texas A&M International softball jumped ahead in game one of its doubleheader against St. Mary's to come up victorious, 7-5, but in game two, despite allowing just two hits, fell to the Rattlers 3-1 for a split on the day.
 
GAME 1: TAMIU 7 St. Mary's 5
 
The Dustdevils wasted no time jumping out in front of game one, plating four runs in the top of the first inning.
 
In the inning, graduate Victoria Maldonado opened the scoring with an RBI single, which was flanked by an RBI double from senior Darrian Smith, an RBI single from freshman Katelyn Luera and then an RBI hit by pitch by freshman Victoria Espinoza.
 
TAMIU (11-17, 7-10 LSC) threatened again in the top of the second, but despite bases loaded and no outs, were unable to bring in a run.
 
In the top of the third, the Dustdevils grew its lead to 7-0. Two runs would score on an error after a sacrifice bunt by sophomore Kristin Maldonado, then the final run came in on another Rattler error.
 
After being held scoreless through five innings, St. Mary's (20-7, 10-4 LSC) scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth off a two RBI double and an RBI single.
 
In the seventh, the Rattlers came up short of a comeback, plating two more runs on another RBI single and a sacrifice fly.
 
Sophomore Carla Arellano threw a complete game, picking up her fifth win of the season, allowing five runs (four earned), eight hits, four walks and one strikeout.
 
Offensively, TAMIU recorded eight hits, with sophomore Eva Garcia's 3-for-3 leading the way. Luera also had a multi-hit game with a 2-for-3 showing.
 
GAME 2: St. Mary's 3 TAMIU 1
 
The Rattlers were the first on the board in game two, scoring a run in the bottom of the first on a wild pitch.
 
Not until the top of the fourth did the Dustdevils tie the game, when Victoria Maldonado singled in a run, the lone run scored in the game for TAMIU.
 
St. Mary's would regain the lead right away in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI single, then scored an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth by way of a sacrifice fly.
 
Senior Darrian Smith started the game for the Dustdevils but only threw 0.1 innings, allowing one run, no hits and walking three.
 
Sophomore Tessa Ramirez threw the remaining 5.2 innings in relief and allowed two runs, two hits, three walks and struck out two.
 
TAMIU looks to win the season series against the Rattlers on Sunday, March 12, with first pitch scheduled for 12 p.m.