LAREDO – The University of Texas of the Permian Basin baseball team dropped a pair of one-run decisions to Texas A&M International, falling 7-6 and 2-1 to open the 2012 season. 
 
In the first game, the Dustdevils scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh, including a walk-off RBI single to right field by Mick Daniels to score Austin Varros for the game-winner.  A&M International plated three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, erasing a five-run top of the inning by the Falcons. 
 
The Dustdevils opened the scoring with a pair of runs in the third inning thanks to two wild pitches and a passed ball.  The Falcons committed four errors in the game which led to two unearned runs, as well as three wild pitches, two hit batters and two passed balls. 
 
TAMIU would extend its lead to 3-0 after scoring a lone run in the fourth before the Falcons got on the board with a run in the top of the fifth.  Stephen Hrebicek led off the fifth by reaching on an error, but would later be thrown out at second on a fielder's choice by Christian Pitts.  Pitts would later steal second before Hugo Hernandez singled to left, moving him to third. Mike Briseno would eventually drive Pitts in with a single to center for the Falcons' first run of the 2012 season. 
 
The Dustdevils got the run back in the bottom of the sixth when Varos scored on an error after reaching first after he was hit by a pitch. 
 
Despite not getting a hit in the seventh inning, the Falcons managed to plate five runs thanks to five walks and three hit batters.  A&M International went through three different pitchers before Martin Lewis Bigham picked up a strikeout to retire the side. 
 
In the second game, UTPB scored a run in the top of the first inning, but it would be the only the Falcons would notch the entire game.  Hugo Hernandez led off the inning by reaching on an error and would later come around to score when Mike Briseno grounded out to second base for the second out of the inning. 
 
The Falcons would keep a 1-0 lead until the Dustdevils scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh and would hold on for two more innings for the win.  Hrebicek picked up two of the Falcons' six hits in the second game including a double to right field in the seventh inning. 
 
The two teams will play the third and final game of the series tomorrow at noon before the Falcons come back home to Odessa to host the UTPB Classic next weekend.