CANYON, Texas – West Texas A&M's Nick Marshall opened the 2023 campaign in style on Friday afternoon as the junior allowed just one hit during his six innings of work in a 10-1 Lone Star Conference victory over the Texas A&M International Dustdevils at Jorge Haynes Field in Laredo.
 
The Buffs wasted little time getting on the board as Ryan Johnson doubled to the gap in right center with one out followed by a Dustdevil fielding error for the early 1-0 advantage. 
 
WT added to their lead in the top of the fourth inning as Adam Becker singled thru the left side to drive in Paul Wittmann followed by a Kory Schmidt hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded to score Dave Janssen. Will Fuenning drew an RBI walk to plate Johnson followed by a fielder's choice RBI by Eddy Savoie to make it 5-0.
 
The Buffs started off the fifth with back-to-back doubles as Cameron Loy drove in Janssen to extend the lead to 6-0. WT wasn't done yet as Schmidt doubled to the warning track in center in the top of the seventh with one out to drive in Becker. WT would add to their lead again in the top of the eight as Loy singled thru the left side with one out to score Janssen and Mike Manetta.
 
TAMIU got on the board in the home half of the eight as Cameron Stevenson lifted a sacrifice fly to center field with one out to plate Joseph Cruz to make it 9-1. The Buffs weren't done yet as Patrick Donovan drew a bases loaded walk with one out to plate Schmidt to extend the lead to 10-1.
 
Marshall picked up the win (1-0) on the mound for the Buffs as the righty from Antigo, Wisconsin allowed just one hit with no walks and four strikeouts during his six scoreless innings of work. 
 
The Buffs and Dustdevils return to the diamond tomorrow afternoon with first pitch of a doubleheader scheduled for 12 p.m. in Laredo.