COMMERCE— The Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team travel to take on Texas A&M University-Kingsville in a three-game series on Friday and Saturday. The Lions will then face Texas A&M-International University in a doubleheader on Sunday in Laredo.
Kingsville
WHO: Texas A&M-Commerce (21-9, 8-4 LSC) vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville (14-15, 6-8 LSC)
WHERE: Vernie and Blanche Hubert Field in Kingsville, Texas
WHEN: Friday, March 24 at 6 p.m., Saturday, March 25 at 1 and 3 p.m.
LIVE STATS: http://www.sidearmstats.com/tamuk/softball/
LIVE WEBCAST (Game 1): https://boxcast.tv/view/softball-v-am-commerce-104630
Game 2: https://boxcast.tv/view/softball-v-am-commerce-517248
Game 3: https://boxcast.tv/view/softball-v-am-commerce-133776
Laredo
WHO: Texas A&M-Commerce (21-9, 8-4 LSC) vs. Texas A&M-International (8-17, 2-1 HC)
WHERE: Dustdevil Softball Field in Laredo, Texas
WHEN: Sunday, March 26 at 12 and 2 p.m.
LIVE STATS: http://www.sidearmstats.com/tamiu/softball/
LIVE WEBCAST: http://www.godustdevils.com/showcase?Live=399
The Lions are coming off of a split series against Texas A&M-International on Tuesday. The Lions lost the first game 8-6 but bounced back and won the second game 10-2. Head coach
Richie Bruister was proud of the way his team rebounded off of a game that simply got away from the Lions.
"That was the way we were hoping to play the first game," he said. "I was proud of our kids after they did bounce back off of the loss in the first game. That showed the character we have. We have done it all year. When things don't go our way, we show we are going to bounce back and we came back and scored three runs in that first inning of the second game."
During the games, the Lone Star Conference office announced
Baylea Higgs as LSC Hitter of the Week. Bruister feels fortunate to have a player like Higgs as the leadoff batter in his regular lineup.
"She has been great for us," he said. "When you have a leadoff that gets on base as much as she has, you've got to love to be that three or four-hole hitter when she is out there stealing bases. She is going to be in scoring position when you come up. Kinsie [Hebler] and Mariah [Jameyson] are taking big advantage of her being on base. Of course, [Ciera] Nunez is doing a really good job behind [Baylea] with her on base percentage and average. I would love to be batting third or fourth in this lineup with those two on base."
Jameyson has had a lot of success at the plate in her last three appearances. She hit 6-for-7 against TAMIU and hit three home runs. On Saturday, she hit two homers against UT Permian Basin. Bruister is seeing the extra work she puts in after regular practices pay off.
"She deserves it," he said. "She works hard. After every practice, she is out there working on her own. Even times after games, she works on her own. I am really proud of her work ethic. She is just a true example of what a leader should be on a team in showing our team what should be done. I am very happy that her work ethic is really paying off for her. She is having a monster week. She leads the conference in RBIs and slugging percentage now. To do that in this conference, that is a big-time hitter."
The Lions will now face A&M-Kingsville in a three-game series. The Javelinas are 14-15 on the year but Bruister sees a team that has been in a lot of close games and one that can play with anyone in the conference.
"They are a tough team and they are going to play well at home," he said. "We know that. It is going to take us being at the top of our game for every inning and every pitch. They have played a lot of close games. They have good pitching, good offense and good defense. We know it is going to be a Lone Star battle at their place. We have been playing very well on the road and I look forward to going down there and playing them."
After the doubleheader on Saturday, the Lions will travel to Laredo to take on A&M-International once again in a doubleheader on Sunday. In total, the Lions will play five games in three days, including back-to-back doubleheaders. Bruister knows his team will need to be prepared physically and mentally.
"You have to stay healthy and you have to stay mentally tough," he said. "We've got the depth to be able to do that. We've got a great team and I feel great about our team being able to do that. And International, they are playing three games over the weekend just like us. We will be able to return the favor against them at their place on Sunday afternoon."
