Laredo, Texas – In a wild, back-and-forth series finale, TAMIU capped off Senior Day with a dramatic 16-15 victory over West Texas A&M, splitting the four-game series at 2-2. The Dustdevils honored 13 seniors before first pitch and delivered a game to remember at Jorge Haynes Field.

Senior Mario Garcia got the start for TAMIU and escaped a bases-loaded jam in the top of the first to set the tone early. The Dustdevils capitalized immediately, scoring six runs in the bottom half of the inning on just two hits, thanks to three costly errors by the West Texas defense. Isaac Stanwick was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, bringing in Alex Lugo, followed by a two-RBI single from Ciro Benavides. JC Zepeda and Nomar Prieto added to the rally with an RBI single and an error-induced run, respectively, before Joseph Cruz reached on another miscue to plate Zepeda.

West Texas responded with two runs in the second, but the Dustdevils stayed hot. Abiam Medina launched a solo homer, and RBI hits from Benavides and Prieto extended TAMIU's lead to 9-2. However, the Buffs weren't done. A chaotic top of the fourth saw West Texas push across seven runs to even the score at 9-9.

In the bottom of the fifth, senior Alex Lugo electrified the home crowd with his first career home run — a solo blast to left field — to give TAMIU a 10-9 lead on Senior Day.

The rollercoaster continued as WT took the lead with four runs in the top of the seventh.

Trailing 13-10, the Dustdevils found more late-inning magic. With the bases loaded, senior Omar Cervantes launched a go-ahead grand slam, putting TAMIU back on top, 14-13.

The Buffs wouldn't go quietly, scoring twice in the eighth to reclaim a 15-14 advantage. But the Dustdevils had one final response. Lugo came through again, singling home Prieto to tie the game, and Cruz scored from third on a double play to put TAMIU in front for good.

Garcia finished with 3.2 innings pitched, allowing nine runs on eight hits while striking out five. Senior Lalo Salinas tossed 2.2 innings of relief, giving up three runs on just one hit. Sota Inden pitched 0.2 innings, and senior Danny Dial closed it out with 2.0 innings of work, allowing two runs while striking out three to earn the win.

The Dustdevils now head to Portales, New Mexico, for their final series of the 2025 season, taking on Eastern New Mexico in a four-game Lone Star Conference showdown from April 25-27.