LAREDO, Texas – Texas A&M International softball opened a three-game series with UT Permian Basin on Friday, but in the doubleheader fell 4-1 in game one, then would walk it off in game two to win 3-2.
GAME 1: UT PERMIAN BASIN 4 TAMIU 1
After two scoreless innings, it was TAMIU scoring its lone run of the game in the bottom of the third off an RBI single by junior Kristy Alanis to make it 1-0.
Sophomore pitcher Carla Arellano had a no-hitter through 4.1 innings, but UT Permian Basin broke the trend in the fifth inning and ultimately scored on an error to tie the game 1-1.
The Falcons would tack on two runs in the top of the sixth on an RBI double and RBI single to make it 3-1, then score the final run of the game in the top of the seventh off an error.
Arellano tossed the complete game and allowed four runs (two earned), six hits, walked three and struck out six.
The Dustdevils had six hits in the contest with Alanis's 2-for-4 leading the way.
GAME 2: TAMIU 3 UT PERMIAN BASIN 2
Game two had scoring right away as TAMIU took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, thanks to an RBI walk drawn by sophomore Dynasty Harpel.
It was a pitcher's battle from there through the fifth inning as neither team was able to muster up much offense to keep it a 1-0 game.
UT Permian Basin made noise in the top of the sixth inning, jumping ahead to make it a 2-1 game.
In the inning, the Falcons got an RBI groundout to even the score 1-1 and then a solo home run to take the 2-1 edge.
The Dustdevils would respond immediately, as senior Darrian Smith belted her first home run of the 2023 season and first since her nine homer season back in 2021, a solo shot in the bottom of the sixth, to tie the game 2-2.
Smith delivered yet again in the bottom of the seventh, with a walk-off RBI single scoring freshman Katelyn Luera to seal the 3-2 victory.
Sophomore Tessa Ramirez tossed the complete game and allowed two runs, seven hits, walked three and fanned four.
Offensively, TAMIU would scatter 10 hits, with Smith's 3-for-4, freshman Kennedy Griego's 2-for-4 and sophomore Tajanae Davis's 2-for-4 leading the charge.
The Dustdevils conclude the season series against the Falcons on Saturday, April 22 with a 12 p.m. first pitch as they honor seniors Smith and Felicity Bernal, looking to take the season series over UTPB.
