Commerce – The Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team defeated St. Edward's 9-1 on Wednesday afternoon. The Lions had a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning and won the game in the sixth inning on a walkoff double. The teams started a second game that was halted due to weather. The second game will be picked up where it left off when the Lions meet the Hilltoppers in Austin in March.
The win brings the Lions to 5-1 on the year while it was the opening game of the season for SEU.
The Lions return to action on Friday in the first two games of their five-game tournament over the weekend. They will face Newman at 1:30 p.m. and Oklahoma Baptist at 3:30 p.m. The Lions will also play a doubleheader on Saturday and a single game on Sunday.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Kinsie Hebler hit a three-run home run in the first inning. She had four RBIs on the day with two hits in three at bats.
- Mariah Jameyson went 3-for-3 in the game with three RBIs.
- Ciera Nunez had two hits and two runs scored. She also had two stolen bases.
- Chealsea Slider had two hits and one RBI. Slider had an RBI double that ended the game. Jodie Hill also had a hit. Vanessa Avina had an RBI walk.
- Hebler, Hill and Baylea Higgs all had one stolen base.
- Emily Otto pitched a complete game and had three strikeouts and no earned runs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hilltoppers were first to bat and the second batter reached on an error. The next batter singled and the Hilltoppers were first on the board, leading 1-0 after the top of the first. Otto had two strikeouts in the inning and was not credited with an earned run.
The Lion offense took off right away in the bottom of the first inning. Nunez drew a walk and stole second base. Higgs also drew a walk and Hebler came to the plate with two runners on. She smashed a pitch over the right center field fence and gave the Lions a 3-1 lead. The next three batters reached to load the bases but the next three batters were retired in order and the Lions took a 3-1 lead into the second inning.
After the Hilltoppers were retired in order in the top of the second, the Lions added two runs in the bottom of the second. Nunez singled and stole second. Higgs walked and Hebler reached on a fielder's choice. Higgs and Hebler both stole to have two runners in scoring position. Jameyson then singled into center to score both runs. The Lions led 5-1 after two complete innings.
Neither team could get a rally going in the third inning and the Hilltoppers again struggled in the fourth inning, going three-and-out. The Lions then added three more runs in the fourth. Hill singled and stole second. Nunez then reached and runners were on second and third. Hebler drove in a run on a fielder's choice and then Jameyson singled through the left side to score another run. Slider drew a walk to load the bases and another walk to Avina brought in a run. The Lions led 8-1 after four innings.
Otto had another strikeout in the fifth inning but the Lions could not get anything going in the bottom of the fifth and the score remained the same. After a quick top of the sixth inning, the Lions got the run they needed. Hebler doubled to center field and she scored on a double from Slider, ending the game in the sixth.
In the second game, the teams fought in a pitchers' duel. The Lions scored runs in the third and fourth innings and hold a 2-0 lead in the game that will be completed in March in Austin.