COMMERCE – The No. 9 Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team used the long ball to pick up a sweep of No. 20 Arkansas Tech University at the John Cain Family Field on Wednesday evening. The Lions earned a 4-1 win in the first game, then picked up a 9-1 walkoff win in five innings in the nightcap.
 
A&M-Commerce is now 9-1 on the season, while Arkansas Tech falls to 5-5.
 
A&M-Commerce opens Lone Star Conference play this weekend, hosting MSU Texas. The series starts with a 6 p.m. single game Friday, followed by a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday. Tickets are available at WeAreLionsTix.com, by calling (903) 468-8756, by visiting the Lion Sales & Service Box Office in the Field House or by purchase at the gate of the John Cain Family Softball Field.

HEAD COACH RICHIE BRUISTER AFTER THE GAMES
On the team winning twice in the home opener: "It was exciting to get home and for our kids to play in front of our awesome fans. To pick up two wins like we did against Arkansas Tech was great. They are going to compete for the GAC championship. They are a great ball club. We are very fortunate to come out of here with two wins."
On the bat of Jodie Hill: "She been looking very good in practice and working really hard to make adjustments at the plate. She has obviously done that. And it's a testament to the kids in front of her too. To hit grand slams, you have to have people on base. They obviously did their job and you have to have the pitcher come to you. She made them pay for it."
On the pitching: "Otto was great in a close ball game the whole way. She kept us in the ball game with six strikeouts and no walks. Then I'm really proud of Katie Dean. We have to have that number two starter. She kept us in the ball game and gave us a chance for our offense to make some adjustments. Then boom, we had the big inning. My hat is off to her for what she did today."
On what these wins mean heading into conference season: "It gives you momentum. You want to come out and get the rust out at home. We were able to do that today. It certainly is exciting. We look forward to starting conference play. It is going to be a battle. That's the Lone Star Conference. Midwestern is going to come in and try and beat us on our home turf. We are going to have to protect this house."

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE (Game 1)
- Emily Otto (Richmond – Lamar Consolidated) pitched her fourth complete game of the season, allowing one run on two hits, striking out six with no walks.
- The Lions collected four hits, with the fourth inning grand slam by Jodie Hill (Heavener, Okla.) proving to be the deciding factor in the contest.
- Kayla Kilcrease (Kerens) had a double in the first inning and Kinsie Hebler (Cypress) and Vanessa Muro (Oak Hills, Calif.) each had singles.
- The victory was the 150^th win in program history.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 1)
The Lions were the first team to threaten, as Kilcrease hit a double in the first inning, but was stranded in scoring position. The Golden Suns put the first run on the board in the top of the second, when Sydnie Henson brought home a run with a two-out double. The two hits by ATU in the second inning were the Suns' only hits of the game.
 
Kilcrease was hit by a pitch with one out in the fourth, followed by the Hebler single. Bri Sims (Rowlett) walked to load the bases and set the plate for Hill, who blasted her second career grand slam to the left-center gap and put the Lions up 4-1.
 
The Lion offense wasn't able to generate any more breathing room, but Otto's dominance made the lead stand, as the sophomore retired the final 15 Golden Suns who came to the plate after a hit batter to lead off the third.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE (Game 2)
- Hill smashed her second grand slam of the day in the bottom of the fifth to accelerate the Lion victory. It was Hill's third career grand slam.
- Kimber Neal (Humble - Atascocita) and Bri Sims also smoked homers to center field in the game, with Sims' bomb bringing about a run-rule victory.
- Katie Dean (Whitesboro) earned the victory in the circle, allowing one run on three hits with four strikeouts and four walks.
- Neal had two hits and three RBIs, as the only player with multiple hits in a game during the doubleheader.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 2)
The Lions took the lead in the first inning, when Neal crushed a solo homer to center with one out in the frame. The Golden Suns tied the game in the top of the second on a two-out RBI single by Ashton Sangster.
 
A&M-Commerce regained the lead in the bottom of the third thanks to aggressive base running. Ciera Nunez (Amarillo – Randall) blooped a double down the third base line with two outs, then came home on Neal's infield single, beating out a throw from the first baseman to put the Lions up 2-1.
 
The home team blitzed ATU in the fifth inning, as the first three batters singled to load the bases. Nunez and Neal drew bases loaded walks to plate runs, then Hill laced a pitch over the center field fence for her second grand slam of the day, putting the home team within one run of the early win. After a deep fly out, Sims ended the game with her own homerun.