COMMERCE– The Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team return to action on Tuesday for a doubleheader against St. Edward's University. The Lions will look to get their first home wins of the young season against the Hilltoppers.
WHO: Texas A&M-Commerce (10-5, 2-1 LSC) vs. St. Edward's (6-10 0-0 HC)
WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 3 & 5 p.m.
WHERE: John Cain Family Softball Complex in Commerce, Texas
LIVE VIDEO: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/tamucommerce/
LIVE STATS: http://www.statbroadcast.com/events/statbroadcast.php?t=1&gid=tame
TICKETS: http://lionathletics.com/sports/2016/12/13/2017-softball-ticket-information.aspx
The Lions are coming off two losses to the No. 3 team in the country in St. Mary's. The Lions held the lead in both games, something head coach
Richie Bruister saw as a positive even though he thought his team didn't play up to its potential.
"I'm happy that we were in the ball game playing bad," he said. "That tells us what our capability is. We are seeing really good things in practice. Our kids are working hard. They've just got to take it from practice to the games. I'm happy that we are there. Of course I'm not happy with the results. But I know if we keep working hard and keep doing the things that we are doing, eventually it is going to show up in the games for us. "
The Lions got another strong showing from the top of their lineup. The top of the batting order combined for eight of the Lions' 10 hits on the day. Leading off was freshman
Kinsie Hebler, who had a homerun and three RBI's on the day. She also had an on-base percentage of .625.
"She is just a great talent," Bruister said of Hebler. "We love her in the leadoff spot. She makes our lineup different. You've got to respect the top of our lineup now. Kinsie is doing great, followed by
Baylea Higgs and
Mariah Jameyson. They are just tearing the ball up right now. To me, it is the best three in Division II. They are doing well and I am very proud of the effort they have put in and the hard work that they are putting in day in and day out and it is paying off on the field for them."
The Lions lead the Lone Star Conference in fielding percentage– something Bruister and his staff have focused on in training camp. Bruister is happy it has translated to the field. However, he saw some of those mistakes present themselves against St. Mary's.
"You've got to make the routine plays and some of the great plays," he said. "That's one of the things we've wanted to do better this year is play better defense and we are doing that. That makes the other teams earn it. Unfortunately, that hurt us against St. Mary's. We had five errors against them and that is the part that is hard to swallow for me as a coach. I know how good we are and how great we have been playing defensively. It's a tough way to lose but I know those kids are very talented and they are going to come back this week and work hard and improve on that."
The Lions now prepare to face St. Edward's in another doubleheader on Tuesday. Bruister said the team has come back and has had a good day of practice and hopes his team continues to build its confidence, especially the confidence of the young players.
"We've got some young folks," he said. "We've got some freshman out there and they have to start believing in themselves and their talents. They have to believe that they are better than the other teams. And they are. That's what I have been telling them. They are very talented. We have put a better team on the field than the other teams. They have to show up and prove that. When they start believing that, we are going to start seeing a lot of good things from them."
