ODESSA, Texas – Texas A&M International swept a Lone Star Conference doubleheader against UT Permian Basin on Sunday, edging the Falcons 2-1 in the opener before securing a 3-2 victory in the nightcap at UTPB Softball Park.
The Dustdevils improved to 6-15 overall with the pair of one-run victories.
Game 1 – TAMIU 2, UTPB 1
Texas A&M International rode a dominant pitching performance from Kylie Goad to take the opener 2-1. Goad tossed a complete game, allowing just three hits and one run while striking out nine.
The Dustdevils struck first in the third inning when Sessy Moreno doubled and later scored on a two-out RBI single by Queenandra Dunn to give TAMIU a 1-0 lead.
UT Permian Basin tied the game in the fourth with a solo home run, but the Dustdevils answered in the fifth. Moreno delivered her second double of the game and eventually scored on Dunn's sacrifice fly to put TAMIU ahead for good.
Moreno finished with two doubles and scored both runs, while Kennedy Griego and Victoria Espinoza added two hits apiece.
Goad closed the game with three consecutive strikeouts in the seventh inning to secure the win.
Game 2 – TAMIU 3, UTPB 2
The Dustdevils completed the sweep with a 3-2 win in the second game, using a late run to break a tie.
TAMIU scored twice in the second inning after Miley Vinton, Isabella Perez and Ci-hara Wessling recorded consecutive hits. Both runs scored on a UT Permian Basin error to give the Dustdevils an early 2-0 advantage.
The Falcons responded with single runs in the second and fifth innings to even the score at 2-2.
Texas A&M International regained the lead in the seventh inning when Cecilia Saldivar was hit by a pitch, stole second and came around to score on an RBI single by Griego.
Madison Taylor Gray started in the circle and allowed two unearned runs over five innings. Celeste Apaez earned the win in relief, tossing two scoreless innings to close out the game.
Griego led the Dustdevils at the plate with two hits and an RBI, while Wessling added two hits.
The Dustdevils won both games by one run while allowing just three earned runs across the doubleheader.
PLAYERS SPOTLIGHT: Sessy Moreno is a sophomore shortstop and utility player for Texas A&M International University and is currently pursuing a degree in Kinesiology. A native of San Antonio, TX, Sessy is the daughter of Deyanira and Zaragoza Moreno and was born on March 1, 2006. Kennedy Griego is a senior 3rd baseman for Texas A&M International University and is currently pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice. A native of Covina, CA, Kennedy is the daughter of Rodney Griego and Teresa Flynn, and was born on November 2, 2004.
Moreno and Griego paced the Dustdevils in Saturday's doubleheader sweep of UT Permian Basin with strong performances at the plate. Moreno sparked the offense in game one, going 2-for-4 with two doubles and scoring both TAMIU runs in the 2-1 victory. Griego delivered the biggest hit of the day in game two, going 2-for-4 with the go-ahead RBI single in the seventh inning that secured the 3-2 win. Together, the duo helped power the Dustdevils to a pair of one-run victories on the road.
