PORTALES, N.M.– The No. 9 Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team defeated Eastern New Mexico twice on Thursday. The Lions defeated the Greyhounds 12-5 in the first game and 13-5 in the second game.

With the wins, the Lions are now 30-3 for the season and 15-2 in the Lone Star Conference. The Lions have now won 14 games in a row, setting a new program record. They are now in sole possession of first place in the LSC. The Greyhounds fall to 15-21 and 8-12 in conference play.

The Lions and the Greyhounds will meet for the final game of the series Friday at Noon MDT. The game will be played at Greyhound Field in Portales, N.M.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE (Game 1)
- Jodie Hill had two home runs, two runs scored, four RBIs and a stolen base.
- Mariah Jameyson had 3 hits including a home run. She had two RBIs.
- Bri Sims recorded three hits, including a solo home run. She scored three runs.
- Kinsie Hebler and Baylea Higgs both had two hits, a run scored and an RBI. Higgs also had a steal.
- Kimber Neal had two hits and two stolen bases. Ciera Nunez, Chloe Horn and Monica Cherry also had steals.
- Kayla Kilcrease also had a hit. Cherry scored two runs. Precious Thompson and Nunez also scored a run apiece.
- Katie Dean pitched five innings to earn her 12th win of the season. Emily Otto pitched two innings to close the game and had four strikeouts.

HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 1)
The Lions got the scoring started early in the game, bringing two across in the first inning. Nunez reached on a walk and stole second base. After a groundout advanced her to third, a double from Hebler brought her across. Hebler scored on a single from Jameyson. A single from Sims brought Jameyson into scoring position but the Lions could not get her across as the final two batters struck out. The Lions led 2-0.

The Greyhounds answered back with two runs of their own in the bottom of the first. After the first two batters were hit by pitch, the next hitter doubled to bring a run across. A groundout brought another run across and the Greyhounds tied the game at two after one complete inning.

Neither team could get a run across in the second inning. Jameyson changed that in the third inning. She came up and blasted a shot to center field, giving the Lions back the lead. After Sims walked, Hill came up to bat and hit a two-run shot over the left field fence, giving the Lions a three-run lead. The Lions weren't done there. Cherry drew a walk and advanced to third on a single from Neal. Neal stole second, prompting a throw. Cherry went on to steal home and the Lions took a 6-2 lead. A quick bottom of the third kept the Lions on top by four.

Higgs singled to start the fourth inning and stole second. After advancing to third on a groundout, she saw a passed ball go by the catcher. She could not get there quick enough as she was thrown out at home to keep the Lions off the board. The Greyhounds put another run across in the bottom of the fourth. A walk was followed by a double to put two runners in scoring position. A fielding error allowed a run to score and the Greyhounds trailed 6-3.

The Lions smoked two more dingers in the fifth inning. Sims led off with a shot to center field. Hill followed her and hit a homer to left field. The Lions drew three walks to load the bases. Higgs hit into a fielder's choice but brought Cherry across and the Lions led 9-3 going into the bottom of the fifth. The Greyhounds it a two-run homer in the bottom of the inning to bring the score to 9-5 after five complete.

The Lions brought two more runs across on in the top of the sixth. Jameyson singled to lead off and Sims also singled. Kilcrease hit a double down the right field line to bring in a run. Another run scored on a single from Hill and the Lions led 11-5. Otto came in to pitch in the bottom of the sixth and retired the batters in order, including a strikeout to keep the score at 11-5.

The Lions brought another run across in the top of the seventh. They were aided by two Greyhound errors and Higgs scored, bringing the Lion lead to 12-5. Otto continued to pitch well in the bottom of the seventh, striking out three more, and the Lions left with the 12-5 win.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE (Game 2)
- Jodie Hill went 3-for-3 with a grand slam, four RBIs and two runs scored. She also had a stolen base.
- Mariah Jameyson led off the game with a three-run homer. She has now homered in five consecutive games.
- Baylea Higgs had a single and a triple with four RBIs. She also had a stolen base.
- Kimber Neal had two hits and scored three runs. Kinsie Hebler had a single and scored a run.
- Ciera Nunez scored two runs and had two steals. Bri Sims, Precious Thompson and Monica Cherry also scored runs.
- Emily Otto pitched the final three innings to get the win. She had three strikeouts and did not give up an earned run. Selena Rima started the game and had a strikeout.

HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 2)
The Lions got the scoring started early in the first inning. Nunez reached and stole second base. After Hebler walked, Jameyson cranked a three-run home run over the left field fence. The Lions didn't stop there. Hill singled and stole second base. She scored on a single from Kilcrease and the Lions took a 4-0 lead.

The Greyhounds scored a run in the bottom of the first. After a batter was hit, she advanced on a groundout and scored on a single, bringing the score to 4-1.

The Lions scored another run in the second inning. Neal walked and stole a base. Nunez also stole a base and on an errant throw, Neal came in to score. The Greyhounds responded with two runs in the bottom of the second. A single and a walk with the bases loaded brought in two runs. The Lions led 5-3 after two innings.

The Lions went scoreless in the top of the third inning and the Greyhounds scored another run. Two walks and a single loaded the bases. A fielder's choice brought a run across to bring the Lion lead to 5-4 after three innings.

The Lions broke the game open in the fourth inning. Neal led off with a double and she scored on a single from Higgs. Hebler singled and Jameyson walked to load the bases. Hill came to the plate and blasted a pitch to center field, hitting her first career grand slam. ENMU scored a run in the bottom of the inning and the Lions held a 10-5 lead after four complete.

The Lions scored three more runs in the fifth inning. Cherry and Nunez walked and Neal doubled to load the bases. Higgs came to the plate and smacked a pitch into the gap in center, scoring all three runners on her triple. Otto finished off the game and it ended in shortened fashion.