Commerce, Texas – A&M-Commerce used a four-run first inning and a stellar pitching performance from Selena Rima to pick up an 8-1 win over the University of Texas – Permian Basin and a six-run fourth inning in game two of the series powered by the bat of Luci Ponce to record a 9-5 comeback win over the Falcons Tuesday afternoon at The John Cain Family Softball Field.
 
Game 1: UTPB 1, A&M-Commerce 8
Turning Point
The Lions offense exploded in the first inning with four runs highlighted by a two-run double to right center off the bat of Cherie Jackson. 
 
Inside the Box Score
Jackson and Kylene Hatton paced the Lions at the place with each going 1-for-3 with two RBI.
 
Selena Rima picked up her sixth win of the season after tossing a complete game six hitter. Rima also recorded six strikeouts in the game.
 
Summary
1st Inning
Ciera Nunez led the off with a walk, stole second, moved to third on a pass ball and scored when Tyler Oppenheim reached on an error. Magen Lynch also reached on an error before Jackson clubbed her double to right center scoring Oppenheim and Lynch.  Johnna Sturm plated Jackson, the fourth and final run of the inning, with the Lions' second double of the inning.
 
4th Inning
After UTPB scored a run in the top of inning, Hatton plated a pair on another two-run double to right center for the Lions. Lynch and Ponce scored on the play. The pair reached on walks earlier in the inning.
 
5th Inning
The Lions pushed the lead out to 7-1 when Baylea Higgs reached on a walk, stole second and then scored on series of Falcon errors.
 
6th Inning
A&M-Commerce tacked on an insurance run in the sixth inning when Ponce singled and Hatton doubled to put runners on second and third with one out for the Lions.  Ponce scored on a wild pitch for the final run in the Lions' 8-1 win.
 
Game 2: UTPB 4, A&M-Commerce 9
Turning Point
Ponce greeted a new Falcon pitcher with a three-run home run to give the Lions a 6-4 lead and to cap off a six-run fourth inning for the Lions.
 
Inside the Box Score
Ponce saw her season average rise 40 points on the day after a going 3-for-3 with four RBI and two runs scored in game two. Her homer was her second of the season.
 
Hatton and Sturm each collected two hits and an RBI.
 
Brittany Woolridge picked up the win after a complete game. Wooldridge recorded six strikeouts in the win.
 
After the Lions six-run outburst in the fourth inning, A&M-Commerce has scored 38 runs in the fourth – the inning the Lions have scored their most runs in on the season.
 
Summary
2nd Inning
The Falcons opened the scoring in game two with a two-run second inning on one hit and two Lion errors.
 
4th Inning
UTPB added two more runs on three hits, all singles, to take a 4-0 lead on the Lions. However, the A&M-Commerce offense awoke with a six runs in the bottom half of the frame.  Monica Cherry started the scoring off with sole homer to left. Higgs followed with a walk and after moving around to third scored when Hatton double to right.  Oppenheim kept the inning rolling with a single to left to score Hatton.  A new Falcon pitcher was a greeted by a three-run dinger from Ponce to give the Lions a 6-4 lead.
 
6th Inning
The Lions added three insurance runs in the sixth inning following RBI from Ponce, Sturm and December Rivers. Ponce and Sturm singled home runs and Rivers' RBI came when she was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.  UTPB notched a run in the top of the seventh, but the Lions walked away with the 9-5 comeback win.
 
What's Next
The Lions stay at home in The John Cain Family Softball Field with one game against Newman Thursday, March 3. First pitch against the Jets is at 5 p.m.
 
Fans can follow all the action from the 2015-16 season on www.LionAthletics.com, through twitter @Lion_Athletics and also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LionsAthletics.