LAREDO, Texas — Texas A&M International dropped both ends of a Saturday doubleheader to UT Dallas, falling 8-5 in the opener before a 16-3 loss in the nightcap at Jorge Haynes Field.
Game 1 - UT Dallas 8, TAMIU 5
TAMIU jumped out early, but a big fifth inning from UT Dallas proved to be the difference in an 8-5 setback.
The Dustdevils struck first in the opening frame, plating two runs behind RBI singles from Asahi Nakano and Tristan Cavazos to take a 2-1 lead. UT Dallas responded with a two-run fourth inning and broke the game open in the fifth, scoring five runs on six hits to build an 8-2 advantage.
TAMIU attempted to rally, scoring twice in the fifth and adding another in the sixth on a sacrifice fly from Eddie Saenz, but couldn't close the gap.
Eddie Saenz led the Dustdevils offensively, going 2-for-2 with a run scored and an RBI, while Nakano added two hits and two RBIs. Jesus Sosa and Eduardo Espinoza each recorded multi-hit efforts as TAMIU finished with 12 hits.
Game 2 - UT Dallas 16, TAMIU 3
UT Dallas carried its momentum into game two, using a dominant sixth inning to pull away for a 16-3 victory.
The Comets built a steady lead early, highlighted by a two-run home run from Trent McCown in the third and a solo shot from Jackson Montee in the fourth.
The game broke open in the sixth inning, when UT Dallas erupted for 11 runs on six hits, including a three-run home run from Chris Benavidez and multiple run-scoring hits to extend the lead to 16-0.
TAMIU avoided the shutout in the bottom half of the inning, scoring three runs behind RBI contributions from Fabrizio Salinas and Saul Soto.
Jesus Sosa provided a spark off the bench with a hit and a run scored, while Ciro Benavides added a hit for the Dustdevils.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Eduardo "Eddie" Saenz is a Senior Infielder for Texas A&M International University and is currently pursuing a degree in Kinesiology Exercise Science. A native of Laredo,Texas he is the son of Eduardo and Angel Saenz and was born September 19, 2003.
Saenz was a consistent presence at the plate across both games, reaching base multiple times and delivering key production in game one. He finished the opener 2-for-2 with an RBI and later added a run scored and multiple walks in game two, providing one of TAMIU's most reliable offensive efforts on the day.
