LAREDO, Texas – Texas A&M International Baseball defeated Texas A&M Kingsville 9-4 on Monday to split the four-game series. 

The Javelinas took an early lead, scoring two runs in the top of the first. 

The Dustdevils cut the lead to 2-1 in the bottom of the first when junior Joseph Cruz hit a solo home run. 

TAMIU tied the game in the bottom of the third when senior Cameron Stevenson hit an RBI single to left field. 

The Dustdevils captured the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth when senior Beto Cervantes hit a three-run home run and junior Ariben Gutierrez singled in a run to give TAMIU a 6-2 lead. 

Stevenson scored on an error in the bottom of the seventh to stretch the lead to five runs. 

Senior Mario Chacon singled in a run in the bottom of the eighth and Cervantes singled in a run to make the score 9-2. 

The Javelinas scored two runs in the top of the ninth but couldn't come any closer. 

Cervantes led the Dustdevils from the plate, going 3-for-4 with four RBI. 

Sophomore Lalo Salinas earned the win on the mound, pitching five innings where he allowed no runs and three hits while striking out five batters and walking two. 

TAMIU will be in action next at 2 p.m. on Friday at St. Edwards for the final series of the regular season.