MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team started the 2017 season off on a winning note with a 7-1 victory over Newman University in the opening game of the Southern Arkansas Softball Invitational on Friday afternoon.
 
The Lions are 1-0 on the season and have now won the first game of the season in all three years of the program's existence.
 
A&M-Commerce plays twice Saturday, facing off against Washburn at noon, followed by a rematch with Newman at 5 p.m.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- The Lions pounded out 11 hits in the game, led by a 3-for-4 day by Baylea Higgs.
- Mariah Jameyson and Kinsie Hebler each blasted homeruns in their Lion debut.
- Hebler, Chealsea Slider, and Tyler Oppenheim each had two hits. Both of Hebler's were for extra bases.
- Katie Dean (1-0) picked up the complete game win, allowing one earned run on four hits, with two strikeouts and a walk.
- The Lions stole seven bases in the game, led by Higgs' three steals. Oppenheim had two steals
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Lions scored the first run of the season in the bottom of the second inning. After Precious Thompson stole second base, Oppenheim laced a single up the middle to score the run and give A&M-Commerce the early 1-0 lead.
 
Newman responded in the top of the third, as a runner scored from third on a wild pitch to tie the game.
 
The Lions regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Oppenheim led off the inning by reaching on an error, then stealing second. Monica Cherry reached base on an error, allowing Oppenheim to score. After a Higgs single, Jameyson homered to left-center, pushing the Lion lead to 5-1.
 
Hebler came to the plate with two out in the sixth and Oppenheim on second. The freshman smoked a homer to left field to cap the scoring and push the Lions to their first win of the year.