CANYON– The No. 15 Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team split its doubheader against No. 8 West Texas A&M on Saturday afternoon. After losing the first game 9-8, the Lions won the second game 13-5. The Lions hit nine home runs over the course of the two games.
 
The results bring the Lions to 21-8 on the season and 10-5 in the Lone Star COnference. The Lady Buffs go to 22-6 and 13-2 in conference play.
 
The Lions return to action on Monday for a doubleheader against New Mexico Highlands. The games will begin at 11 a.m. MDT at HU Softball Field in Las Vegas, N.M.
 
COACH RICHIE BRUISTER AFTER THE GAMES
- On battling back in the first game: "We had a talk with the team and they just went out there and started relaxing. I told them how they crush me in practice. I told them to just go out there and relax and they started doing that. They started playing their game and that's what we got to see in the seventh inning."
- On keeping the momentum in game two: "I'm extremely proud. It just carried on. I'm never happy with a loss but the way we lost, our team went out there and battled and never gave up. Then it carried over into game two."
- On the pitching performance of Katie Dean: "As a senior, coming in down two games on the road in a series like this. For her, it was a great bounce back. She remembered the last time she faced them in the conference tournament. She wanted to go out there and prove herself. And she certainly did that. I couldn't be more proud of her and the way she pitched. She kept us in the ball game. It was an outstanding performance by her."
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE (Game 1)
- The Lions scored six runs in the seventh inning, nearly overcoming a seven-run deficit.
- Kayla Kilcrease (Kerens) hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning. She had three hits in the game and also scored twice.
- Avery Boley (Fort Worth – Nolan Catholic) hit a home run and also had an RBI fielder's choice.
- Kinsie Hebler (Cypress – Cy Fair) hit a solo home run in the seventh inning.
- Vanessa Muro (Oak Hills, Calif.) and Chealsea Slider (Texarkana – Texas HS) also had RBIs.
- Madison Schaefer (Frisco - Independence) had three hits and scored a run. Jodie Hill (Heavener, Okla.), Bri Sims (Rowlett) and Abigail Gatlin (San Antonio - Southwest) all scored runs.
- Emily Otto (Richmond – Lamar Consolidated) and Hebler both saw action in the circle. Hebler struck out four batters.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 1)
After a scoreless first inning, the Lady Buffs brought three runs across in the second inning on two home runs. WT brought two more runs across on a home run in the third to take a 5-0 lead.
 
The Lions got a run across in the fourth inning. Sims led off with a triple and scored on an error. The Lions brought another run across in the sixth inning. Kilcrease singled and scored on a single from Muro. The Lions cut the WT lead to 5-2 before the Lady Buffs hit a grand slam in the bottom of the sixth to take a 9-2 lead.
 
The Lions rallied in the seventh and nearly pulled of the comeback, scoring six runs. Boley led off with a home run. She was followed by Hebler, who also hit a homer. After Hill drew a walk, she scored on a home run from Kilcrease. The Lions then loaded the bases as Sims and Schaefer hit singles and Muro walked. Slider was hit by a pitch, plating another run. Another run came across on a fielder's choice from Boley. However, the Lions could not get the last run they needed, falling 9-8.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE (Game 2)
- The Lions hit six homers in the game.
- Jodie Hill hit a pair of two-run homers.
- Kimber Neal (Humble – Atascocita) and Avery Boley both had two-run homers.
- Bri Sims and Kayla Kilcrease also hit home runs.
- Kinsie Hebler had a two-RBI double.
- Katie Dean (Whitesboro) pitched a complete game, striking out three batters and giving up just three earned runs.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 2)
The Lions jumped out to an early lead. Hebler drew a walk and she scored on a home run from Hill. WT scored a run in the bottom of the inning. The Lions led 2-1 after one complete.
 
The Lions started a rally in the second inning. Neal reached and stole second. The Lions advanced two runners into scoring position but could not get runs around. The Lady Buffs tied the game with a home run and then took the lead in the third inning.
 
The Lions took the lead back in the fourth. Neal reached on a walk and scored on another home run by Hill. Sims then hit a monster shot that clanged off the scoreboard in center field. The Lions led 5-3 after four complete.
 
The Lions added to their lead in the fifth inning. After two runners reached on walks, Hebler hit a double into right field, bringing in both runners. Hebler then scored on a single from Kilcrease. The Lions led 8-3 after five.
 
The Lions weren't done there as they added five runs in the sixth inning. Boley hit a two-run home run. Neal then hit a two-run shot of her own. It was capped with a solo home run from Kilcrease. The Lions led 13-3 headed into the bottom of the sixth. WT brought in two runs in the bottom of the sixth but the Lions got three outs and ended the game.