SAN ANGELO– The No. 13 Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team lost 7-6 in extra innings to No. 6 Angelo State on Thursday. The Lions led the majority of the game but ASU pulled ahead in the final two innings.
 
The loss brings the Lions to 42-11 on the season while ASU improves to 51-7. The game was the first of the best-of-three Super Regional series.
 
The teams meet again tomorrow. The Lions need two wins in order to win the series. Game two will begin at 2 p.m. at Mayer Field in San Angelo. Should the Lions win the second game, a deciding game three is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Kinsie Hebler hit a grand slam in the fifth inning, her third grand slam of the season and her 19th homer.
- Baylea Higgs had three hits, scoring two runs and driving in another.
- Mariah Jameyson, Bri Sims, Jodie Hill and Monica Cherry also had a hit.
- Cherry scored two runs and Jameyson also scored a run.
- Emily Otto pitched 6.2 innings, striking out eight batters against just one walk. Lacie Bullard pitched the final 0.2 innings.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Higgs hit a double to put a runner on in the top of the first for the Lions, however, the Lions could not bring the runner around. Otto started the bottom of the first well, striking out the first two batters. The game was tied 0-0 after one complete.
 
It continued to be a pitcher's duel in the second. Sims hit a double but could not get around. Otto also gave up a double in the bottom of the inning but also had three swinging strikeouts. The teams were still scoreless after two innings.
 
The Lions got the scoring started in the third inning. Cherry led off with a single and she was brought home on a triple from Higgs. Higgs scored on a wild pitch and the Lions took a 2-0 lead. ASU tied the game in the bottom of the third. After a batter was hit by a pitch, another ASU hitter hit a home run over the right field fence to bring in two. The game was tied at two after three innings.
 
Otto had another strikeout in the fourth but neither team could bring any runs across. The score was tied at two after four innings.
 
A&M-Commerce struck again in the top of the fifth. Cherry drew a walk and Higgs and Jameyson both singled to load the bases. Hebler then came to the plate and crushed a pitch to right center field, bringing in all four runners on her third grand slam of the season. The Lion defense continued to play strong behind Otto as well, recording three outs in succession. The Lions led 6-2 after five complete.
 
The Lions drew a walk in the top of the sixth, prompting a pitching change for ASU. The Lions could not get a rally going in the inning. In the bottom half, the Lion defense continued to shine. ASU had a long hit out to center field but Higgs jumped and extended over the fence, pulling the ball in to rob a home run. ASU then had a pair of hits into the outfield, scoring a run to cut the Lion lead to 6-3 after six innings.
 
The Lions were retired in order in the top of the seventh, bringing ASU up to bat. After a fly out, a fielding error was followed by a home run, bringing in three runs to tie the game. The Lions turned to Bullard to record the final out and she drew a fly out. The game went into extra innings tied at six.
 
The Lions loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the eighth but could not get a run across. The Rambelles ended the game in the bottom of the inning, scoring on a wild pitch.