LAREDO, TEXAS — St. Edward's completed a doubleheader sweep over Texas A&M International on Sunday, taking Game 1, 9-2, and Game 2, 5-0.
Game 1: St. Edward's 9, TAMIU 2
St. Edward's broke open a close contest with a four-run sixth inning and added two more in the seventh to secure a 9-2 win in the opener.
The Hilltoppers totaled 14 hits, led by Jerzie Pelham's two-home run performance and three RBIs. Arianna Vidales added four hits and scored twice, while Jordyn Comer provided a spark off the bench with two RBIs.
TAMIU was held scoreless through the first five innings before breaking through in the sixth. Sessy Moreno doubled and later scored, while Bella Perez and Miley Vinton each drove in a run. Perez finished 2-for-3 at the plate, and Krysta Ruiz added a pair of hits.
Nevaeh Herrera took the loss in the circle, while St. Edward's starter Haley Carmona went the distance.
Game 2: St. Edward's 5, TAMIU 0
St. Edward's completed the sweep behind a strong pitching performance in Game 2, holding TAMIU to five hits in a 5-0 shutout.
The Hilltoppers broke a scoreless tie with a solo home run in the fourth inning and added an insurance run in the fifth before putting the game away with a three-run seventh.
TAMIU scattered five hits, with Ci-hara Wessling, Damaris Saldivar, Isabella De Los Santos, Cecila Saldivar, and Christen Mendez each recording hits. The Dustdevils' best chance came in the sixth inning, putting runners in scoring position, but they were unable to capitalize.
Kylie Goad was charged with the loss after allowing three runs over 6.1 innings of work.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Bella Perez is a junior catcher for Texas A&M International University and is currently pursuing a degree in Biology. A native of Corpus Christi, Texas, Bella is the daughter of Anna and Frank Perez and was born on February 8, 2005.
Perez led the Dustdevils at the plate across both games, combining for a strong showing in the doubleheader. The catcher went 2-for-3 with an RBI in Game 1, driving in one of TAMIU's two runs and helping spark the team's lone scoring inning. Perez also handled duties behind the plate throughout the day, providing steady leadership for the pitching staff.
