LAREDO, Texas — Texas A&M International closed out its 2026 season in a hard-fought extra-inning battle, falling 7-5 to Eastern New Mexico in 11 innings on Sunday afternoon at Dustdevil Field.
The Dustdevils (18-32) piled up 17 hits but couldn't find the timely hit late, as Eastern New Mexico (17-33) used a pair of extra-inning runs to secure the series finale.
TAMIU struck first with a two-run opening inning behind RBI knocks from Fabrizio Salinas and Giovanni Malatesta. The Dustdevils extended the lead to 4-1 in the fourth, highlighted by a two-run single from Eduardo Espinoza.
Eastern New Mexico answered in the sixth, taking advantage of a four-run inning capped by a three-run home run from Ryan Weaver to move in front, 5-4.
The Dustdevils responded in the seventh to even the score at 5-5 on an RBI sacrifice from Jesus Sosa. TAMIU had chances down the stretch but left 11 runners on base as the game moved into extra innings.
After scoreless ninth and tenth frames, the Greyhounds broke through in the 11th when Weaver delivered again with a two-run home run, providing the final margin.
TAMIU was paced offensively by Salinas, who went 4-for-6 with an RBI. Ciro Benavides added three hits, while Espinoza drove in two runs as part of a 17-hit effort.
On the mound, William Boucher went six innings with five strikeouts, while Billy Winans was charged with the loss in relief.
With the result, Texas A&M International concludes its 2026 season, battling through 11 innings in the finale but coming up just short.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Fabrizio Salinas is a freshman Infielder/Pitcher for Texas A&M International University and is currently pursuing a degree in Business Administration/ Finance. A native of Mission,TX, Fabrizio is the Son of Erasmo and Jovita Salinas and was born August 29, 2007.
Salinas delivered a standout performance in the season finale, going 4-for-6 with an RBI to lead a 17-hit offensive effort. Salinas sparked TAMIU early with a first-inning RBI knock and consistently applied pressure at the plate, reaching base four times in the extra-inning battle.
