COMMERCE— The Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team will host Western New Mexico for a four-game series starting on Thursday night. The teams will play a doubleheader on Thursday and another doubleheader on Friday.
 
WHO: Texas A&M-Commerce (26-15, 11-10 LSC) vs. Western New Mexico (1-37, 0-21 LSC)
WHERE: John Cain Family Softball Complex in Commerce, Texas
WHEN: Thursday, April 13 at 4 and 6 p.m., Friday, April 14 at 2 and 4 p.m.
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TICKETS: http://lionathletics.com/sports/2016/12/13/2017-softball-ticket-information.aspx
 
The Lions are coming off of being swept by No. 9 West Texas A&M over the weekend. Head coach Richie Bruister thought his team battled and played well on offense. He feels his pitching staff needs to step up in order for the Lions to take the next step.
 
"Kinsie Hebler went out and battled," he said. "I was really proud of her weekend and what she has done in the circle for us. The rest of the pitching staff just didn't get it done. We know they can hit but we can too. We did the things we needed to do offensively and defensively. Unfortunately, the bulk of our pitching staff didn't get it done. Therefore, we didn't win a game out there."
 
Going into the difficult environment that is Canyon, Bruister felt his team responded well to the fans and the atmosphere. He knows if his team can hold its composure there, they can do it anywhere.
 
"It prepares you for everything," he said "I love it. It's a great atmosphere. They've got good fans there. They've got the pep band. They have hecklers that will call you every name in the book. That's just part of it. It makes you stronger. I grew up in that atmosphere. I live for that moment. Our team, for the most part, did a great job. It just didn't happen. It just wasn't meant to be."
 
Bruister also called the series an experience that can help the team grow. Although, he doesn't want his team to have too many 'experiences.'
 
"It was a great experience for them," he said. "Unfortunately, experience is what you get when you don't get what you want. That's what we got this weekend was an experience. But I know it is going to make our team better going forward. A lot of our kids did perform in that environment. I'm looking forward to good things happening because of what happened."
 
A bright spot for the Lions was the heart of their batting order. Both Kinsie Hebler and Mariah Jameyson hit back-to-back homers in the third game against the Lady Buffs and continue to swing well, as both are hitting better than .400. Jameyson leads the conference with 14 home runs and is third in the nation. Hebler isn't far behind, having hit 11 homers, good for a tie for third in the conference.
 
"I hope they just continue to hit them," Bruister said. "I hope one hits one and then one hits another one. I love that. They are certainly not battling against each other but it is a friendly deal. They both love hitting. When Kinsie hits one, Mariah says, 'I want to hit another one.' It's fun to watch them."
 
The Lions now look to move on and face their next opponent, which is Western New Mexico. Bruister said the Lions will specifically focus on what is ailing them and try to right the ship in order to advance to the conference tournament.
 
"We are going to start with pitching," he said. "Our pitching staff has to perform. Kinsie is doing well but our others have been inconsistent. They've got to get it done for us. It starts there. If they do their job, our defense and our offense has been there all year and it is going to be there this weekend. If they do their job, we are going to have a very successful weekend and the rest of the year."
 
While the Mustangs have had a difficult season, going 1-37 without a win in conference play, Bruister isn't looking at records. He views these games as opportunities to continue to improve and be consistent. He wants his team to view it as they did the West Texas series.
 
"We've got to stay disciplined and do our job," he said. "You can't look at records, especially in the Lone Star Conference. They have played a very tough schedule. It's not that they are a bad team. They have just played some really good teams. If you take the mentality of overlooking them, you are going to get beat. We can't do that. We have to go out there and continue to play our game and treat them just like we are playing West Texas. If we do that, we should come out on top."