CLAREMORE, Okla. – The Rogers State softball team could not keep pace with Texas A&M International in a pair of slugfests Friday night falling twice, 9-1 and 11-3, at the Diamond Sports Complex.
 
The Dustdevils and Hillcats combined for eight home runs in the twin bill on a cool and calm night that came after a heavy overnight rainfall.
 
GAME ONE
TAMIU scored in three of the five innings picking up a 9-1 short-game victory to open the Heartland Conference series.
 
The Dustdevils struck first tallying twice on a RSU error that would have ended the inning and tacked on three more runs in the second on a three-run home run by Chelsea Capello pushing the Dustdevil lead to 5-0.
 
The Hillcats finally broke through with a two-hit bottom of the third as Jamie Kowalick delivered a sharp single past the first baseman scoring Makenzie Kirk from third after the senior started the frame with a single. RSU later loaded the bases and Rachel Jones stepped to the plate with two outs driving the first pitch to deep right but found the glove of the TAMIU fielder.
 
A bases clearing double in the top of the fourth by Dustdevils' starting pitcher Mariena Gallardo gave TAMIU the run-rule victory, 9-1. Gallardo (6-4) pitched the complete game allowing one run on four hits.
 
Bailee Kaderka (4-8) was charged with the loss for RSU giving up five runs, three earned, in 1.1 innings of work.
 
GAME TWO
The teams combined for 24 hits in the nightcap but the Dustdevils came through with 15 picking up a six-inning victory, 11-3.
 
In the first inning, Brenda Parnin singled off the top of the fence for TAMIU scoring Chelsea Capello after a lead-off double, but was thrown out at second trying to stretch the hit into a double. Brittany Mussett quickly doubled the lead on a solo home run.
 
RSU's Whitney Hamilton answered with a solo shot of her own in the second launching the first pitch of the at bat clear of the wall in left. Two batters later, Bailey Spencer followed suit belting a home run well clear of the center field fence evening the score, 2-2, as the duo each hit their second home run of the season.
 
A four-run top of the third gave TAMIU the lead again, 6-2, taking advantage of a Hillcat error tallying three unearned runs.
 
Hamilton delivered her second home run under the lights with a no-doubt blast to center in the fourth closing the gap, down 6-3. Parnin and Gallardo each added two-run home runs in the sixth as TAMIU got five-straight runs closing out the Friday sweep, 11-3.
 
Sarah Johnson (7-1) picked up the win in the circle scattering nine hits over six innings and Aubrey Voboril (1-3) took the loss allowing six runs, three earned, in three innings of work.
 
Rogers State (7-14, 4-6 HC) closes the weekend series against the Dustdevils Saturday as game one of the doubleheader is slated for a noon start at the Diamond Sports Complex. The opening game will count towards the league standings while game two will be a non-conference tilt.