LAREDO, Texas – Texas A&M International softball opened its series against Texas A&M-Kingsville in doubleheader action, starting with a dominant 6-0 victory, before dropping game two, 2-0.

GAME 1: TAMIU 6 TAMUK 0

TAMIU wasted no time opening the scoring in game one, putting a pair of runs on the board in the bottom of the first.

Sophomore Kristin Maldonado scored the opening run on a Javelinas error, then graduate Victoria Maldonado double in the second run of the inning.

No scoring happened between the second and fifth innings, until the Dustdevils (10-15, 6-8 LSC) plated four runs in the bottom of the sixth.

Sophomore Dynasty Harpel and Kristin Maldonado scored the first two runs of the inning, then freshman Kennedy Griego punctuated the game with a two-run home run to make it 6-0.

Junior Erika Cortez started in the circle for TAMIU and in the complete game shutout, allowed nine hits and struck out seven.

Offensively, the Dustdevils collected 11 hits, with Griego going 4-for-4 to lead the way, while Kristin Maldonado (2-for-4), Victoria Maldonado (2-for-4) and senior Darrian Smith (2-for-2) each had multi-hit efforts.

GAME 2: TAMUK 2 TAMIU 0

It was a pitcher's duel to start game two, as the game went scoreless through the first three innings.

TAMUK (10-9, 7-4 LSC) earned its first run of the doubleheader in the top of the fourth inning with an RBI single to make it 1-0.

The Javelinas would add an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning off a TAMIU error for the eventual final of 2-0.

The Dustdevils had a chance in the top of the first, but left a runner stranded on second, then again in the fourth inning, having a runner thrown out at the plate and a runner picked off at second base, before leaving a runner at second again in the sixth.

Sophomore Carla Arellano pitched well again in the circle, throwing a complete game, allowing two runs (one earned), six hits, two walks and a strikeout.

Offensively, TAMIU could only put together four hits, with junior Kristy Alanis going 2-for-2 to lead the way.

The Dustdevils close the season series against the Javelinas on Wednesday, March 8 at 12 p.m. from the TAMIU Softball Field.