TYLER, Texas – Texas A&M International softball closed its 2023 season with a 7-1 defeat at the hands of #3 UT Tyler.
 
The Patriots jumped out in front quickly, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first to take the lead.
 
The Dustevils would respond with its lone run of the afternoon off an RBI single by senior Darrian Smith, in her final game with TAMIU, scoring graduate Victoria Maldonado who doubled the at-bat prior to make it 2-1.
 
The rest of the way, UT Tyler plated two in the third and fifth innings and one in the fourth inning, sealing the victory.
 
Sophomore Carla Arellano got the start and allowed seven runs (six earned), seven hits, one walk and struck out four in 4.1 innings.
 
Freshman Celeste Apaez concluded the game throwing 1.2 innings in relief and allowed just one hit and a walk.
 
Maldonado led the way for TAMIU with a 2-for-3 showing, while Smith had the only other hit.
 
The Dustdevils finish their season with a final mark of 19-34 and a 15-27 record in LSC play.