ALPINE, Texas — Texas A&M International softball dropped both games of a Lone Star Conference doubleheader to Sul Ross State on Wednesday, falling 4-3 in extra innings in Game 1 before an 8-0 loss in Game 2.
Game 1 — Sul Ross State 4, TAMIU 3 (8 innings)
The Dustdevils pushed late but came up short in extra innings as Sul Ross State secured a walk-off victory in the bottom of the eighth.
After being held scoreless through five innings, TAMIU broke through in the sixth. Austyn Marriage singled to spark the rally before Isabella De Los Santos drove in a run with a base hit. Bella Perez followed with a two-run home run to left field, giving the Dustdevils a 3-2 lead.
Sul Ross answered in the seventh, capitalizing on a defensive miscue to tie the game at 3-3 and force extras.
In the eighth, the Lobos used an error and a passed ball to bring home the winning run.
Perez led TAMIU at the plate with a two-RBI home run, while De Los Santos added an RBI. Marriage, Victoria Espinoza, and Krysta Ruiz each recorded hits.
Nevaeh Herrera turned in a strong outing in the circle, tossing 7 innings while allowing three runs on seven hits.
Game 2 — Sul Ross State 8, TAMIU 0 (5 innings)
Sul Ross State struck early and never let up, scoring five runs in the first inning on its way to an 8-0 run-rule win.
The Lobos collected 15 hits in the game and added a run in the second inning before plating two more in the fourth to extend the lead.
TAMIU was held without a hit offensively, drawing three walks but unable to generate a scoring threat.
Kylie Goad took the loss after allowing five runs in the opening inning. Celeste Apaez and Madison Taylor Gray provided relief, combining to finish the game in the circle.
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 provided the biggest offensive spark of the day for the Dustdevils, highlighted by her go-ahead two-run home run in Game 1. The catcher accounted for two of TAMIU's three RBIs in the opener and helped fuel the team's late comeback effort. Perez's power at the plate and timely hitting stood out in a tough doubleheader, giving TAMIU a key offensive lift.
