SAN ANGELO– The No. 13 Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team picked up an 9-1 win over Texas A&M-Kingsville in the quarterfinal round of the Lone Star Conference Tournament on Friday afternoon. The Lions took an early lead and ran away with the game.
 
The win brings the Lions to 39-8 on the year and gives them their first win in the LSC Tournament in the program's four-year history. The Javelinas fall to 29-26 and are eliminated from tournament play.
 
The Lions will return to the diamond quickly as they will face the second seed in the tournament, West Texas A&M, today at 4 p.m. The game will take place at Mayer Field in San Angelo.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Jodie Hill hit a three-run homer in the third inning that broke the game open for the Lions. She also scored two runs.
- Ciera Nunez had three hits, scored twice and drove in three runs.
- Baylea Higgs had a two-RBI double in the second inning.
- Bri Sims drove in the first run of the game.
- Kayla Kilcrease had two hits and scored a run. Monica Cherry also scored two runs. Mariah Jameyson and Vanessa Muro also scored runs.
- Emily Otto pitched a complete game, recording five strikeouts against no walks to earn her 17th win of the year.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Otto had a strong start to the game, striking out two in the top of the first. Nunez and Higgs drew walks to put two runners on. Hebler then singled to load the bases. Sims came up and hit a single to drive in a run. The Lions weren't able to bring any more runs across and led 1-0 after one complete.
 
Otto had two more strikeouts in the second inning. The Lions were not able to bring in a run in the second and the game remained at 1-0.
 
The Javelinas had two singles in the third inning but Otto was able to record another strikeout to get the Lions out of the inning with no damage done. The Lions then blew the game open in the bottom of the inning. After two quick outs, the Lions started to rally. Jameyson drew an intentional walk. Kilcrease hit a single before Hill hammered a pitch over the center field fence to give the Lions a four-run lead. It didn't stop there as Muro hit a single and Cherry doubled. Nunez singled to drive in a run and Higgs hit a double to drive in two more. The Lions led 7-0 after three.
 
The next two innings were all about defense as neither team could get much going with their bats. Otto continued to pitch well, getting five fly outs in a row. The Lions had two base runners on in the fifth but nothing came of it. The Lions led 7-0 after five complete.
 
The Javelinas got on the scoreboard in the sixth, hitting a home run to bring a run across. The Lions got the hits they needed in the bottom of the inning to finish the game out. Hill was hit by a pitch and had two stolen bases as she swiped both second and third. Cherry also had a hit and a steal to put two runners in scoring position. They were both brought home on a walk off single for Nunez and the Lions won the game 9-1.