Commerce, Texas – After A&M-Commerce's
Luci Ponce and West Texas's Tori Bayer were named players of the week by the Lone Star Conference, the Lions and the Buffs face off in series at the John Cain Family Softball Field Saturday, March 19 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. and Sunday, March 20 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
The Lions head into the series on a one game-loosing streak after the Greyhounds of Eastern New Mexico snapped previous 10-game winning streak by one run in the final game last weekend.
Going in to the series vs. West Texas, A&M-Commerce will rely heavily on their speed on the base path and the pitching staff. The Lions lead the conference in stolen bases with 108, and
Brittany Woolridge leads the Lions in the cirlce with a 2.64 era and eight wins.
Selena Rima leads the team in strikeouts with 60 and nine wins.
Not to count out the hot bats the Lions have with
Cherie Jackson dominating for the Lions with 40 RBI and Ponce with 38 RBI. The du has hit 16 home runs – eight each. Ponce has a .388 batting average and 24 walks, while Jackson is right behind her with .363 and 20 walks.
Johnna Sturm has also been hitting well at the plate for the Lions with a .370 batting average.
The Buffs, No. 1 in the nation are undefeated at 30-0. West Texas is made up of a power hitting offense leading the LSC in home runs with 45 and 251 RBI. Kourtney Coveny of the Buffs is batting .476 going 30-for-63, five homers and 26 RBI. Ashley Hardin is a power hitter at the plate slugging 10 homers this season already, which is enough to top the LSC for home runs. Kilee Halabert leads the Buffs in the circle with an era of 1.78 in 67 innings with 61 strikeouts and 12 wins, which leads the LSC in wins.
West Texas took on series vs. Angelo State last weekend at home fighting off the Rams winning all four games. One run decided three of the games in the series. The Buffs played St. Edwards on Wednesday were they almost fell again, winning by only one run in game one and winning game two by a three run margin.
Last season the Lions took game three in the series 10-6 at West Texas. The Buffs only lost six conference games in the 2015 season.
This season's match up will be led without many precursors with the exception of stats. The teams have not played many of the same teams other than Newman, St. Mary's and the Buff's recent face off against St. Edwards. There has not been a mutual Lone Star Conference match up between the teams yet.
Fans can follow all the action from the 2014-15 season on www.LionAthletics.com, through twitter @Lion_Athletics and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LionsAthletics.
