LAREDO, Texas - Early runs in both games cost the SEU Softball team as they dropped their Heartland Conference double-header at Texas A&M International Tuesday. 

GAME 1: SEU 4 - TAMIU 6

The Dustdevils struck first with a run in the bottom of the first, but SEU responded with two in the second to lead 2-1. KAYLA APPLEBY started things off with a double down the left field line and LAUREN GARZA followed with a single to center. VALERIE BRANT's sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position with two outs. SARA MACHADO scored the equalizer with a single to right field and MORGAN LEWIS matched Machado with a single to right center of her own to drive home the second run. 

The Hilltopper lead as short-lived, however, as TAMIU evened the score with a run in the second with two outs. Texas A&M International's Edwards broke the game wide open with a three run homerun to left center, putting the Dustdevils up 5-2. 

Machado did her best to tie the game in the fourth, launching the ball over the fence in left center, scoring two and pulling SEU within one, 5-4. TAMIU added an insurance run in the fourth and the Hilltoppers were unable to get anything going to drop game one. 

Machado led at the plate going 2-3 with three RBI and one run scored. JULISA ORTEGA suffered the loss, allowing five runs on six hits with two walks and four strikeouts. ILIANA VARA, who entered in relief, kept the Hilltoppers' comeback hopes alive with her work in the circle, allowing one run on two hits. 

GAME 2: SEU 3 - TAMIU 8

St. Edward's struck first in game two as Brant drove home Appleby, but Texas A&M International unloaded for five runs in the second. SEU responded with two in the third, but the Dustdevils added one in the third and two in the fourth to hand the Hilltoppers their second loss of the day. 

Appleby led at the plate in game two, going 2-4 with two runs scored. REAGAN CARTER garnered the loss, allowing five runs, three earned, on nine hits with four walks and one strikeout. 

St. Edward's falls to 6-11 on the year with the loss and 3-6 in Heartland Conference action. They return to the diamond on Tuesday, March 19 as they host Lubbock Christian for a double-header beginning at noon.