RIO RANCHO, N.M.– The Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team defeated Metropolitan State University of Denver 3-2 on Sunday. The Lions won the game on a walk off infield single in the bottom of the seventh.
 
The win brings the Lions to 4-1 on the season. The Roadrunners move to 1-4 on the season.
 
The Lions will now return home for their home opening series. The Lions host St. Edward's University on Wednesday at 3 p.m. at the John Cain Family Softball Complex. A pre-game tailgate consisting of free hotdogs and drinks will be provided by Alliance Bank, starting at 2 p.m. The A&M-Commerce Marketing and Communications Department will also provide rally towels to the first 200 fans.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Baylea Higgs went 3-of-4 from the plate and scored two runs, including the game-winning run. Higgs also had two stolen bases.
- Kinsie Hebler hit the game-winning hit, scoring one RBI.
- Emily Otto pitched six innings and had seven strikeouts compared to just three hits. Lacie Bullard was credited with the win after a strikeout in the seventh inning.
- Ciera Nunez had one hit and two stolen bases. She also scored a run.
- Kimber Neal had two hits while Vanessa Avina and Chealsea Slider both had one.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Otto was on point from the start, striking out two batters in the first inning. Higgs reached in the top of the inning and also stole second base but she could not be brought around, leaving the game scoreless after one.
 
Otto continued to bring the heat, striking out the side in the second inning. Neal singled in the bottom of the inning but the Lions could not string together more hits and the game was still scoreless after two.
 
The Lion defense took care of business again in the third inning, retiring the batters in order. The Lions had a chance in the bottom as Nunez walked and then stole second. But the bats again could not find the softball and she was stranded on the bases.
 
In the fourth, the Roadrunners got a hit with one out. However, the next batter lined out right to Slider, who quickly threw the ball to first for a double play. The Lions then threatened, stringing together two-out hits from Avina and Neal. However, the next batter grounded out to keep the game scoreless after four.
 
Otto had two more strikeouts in the top of the fifth as the Roadrunners continued to struggle against her. The Lions then got on the board in the bottom of the fifth. Nunez reached on a bunt hit. She then stole second base. Higgs then had a hard line hit to the second baseman and beat the throw, advancing Nunez to third. Higgs stole second and on a bad throw, Nunez scored and Higgs went to third. A wild pitch brought in Higgs and the Lions took a 2-0 lead into the sixth.
 
The next inning was all Neal and Otto as Otto forced three batters to get out. Neal caught a lineout and fielded two groundouts, retiring the side in order. The Lions also went three-up three-down and the game went into the seventh inning.
 
The Roadrunners got their first two runners on base and the Lions switched pitchers, calling in Bullard. After one batter sacrificed herself on a bunt to advance both runners into scoring position. Bullard then struck out the next batter to bring up two outs. Bullard pitched the next batter well but could not get the final strike called. The next pitch was struck and fell into center field, scoring both runners and tying the game.
 
In the bottom of the seventh, the first two batters were retired. Higgs then came to the plate and pounded a pitch up the middle and she raced around the bases, stopping at second base for a double. Hebler then came to the plate and hit a hard ball to the second baseman. Hebler beat out the throw at first and Higgs rounded third and headed for home. The throw came and Higgs slid head first, touching the plate before the tag was applied, winning the game on a walk off.