LAS VEGAS, N.M.– The No. 15 Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team split a doubleheader against New Mexico Highlands on Monday afternoon. The Lions won the first game 15-0 and lost the second game 6-5.
 
The results bring the Lions to 22-9 on the season while the Cowgirls go to 6-13.
 
The Lions return home on Friday for a LSC doubleheader against Western New Mexico. The games will begin at 4 p.m. at the John Cain Family Softball Field. The teams will then meet in a single game on Saturday at 1 p.m. Tickets to the series 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 gates of the John Cain Family Softball Field.
 
HEAD COACH RICHIE BRUISTER AFTER THE GAMES
"In that first game, we got people on and got the big hits like we are supposed to do. In the second game, we did the same thing except we forgot to hit the ball when people got into scoring position. We left too many people on base and kept them in the ball game."
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE (Game 1)
- Avery Boley hit two home runs, including her first career grand slam. She had five RBIs.
- Madison Schaefer (Frisco - Independence) also had a grand slam. She also had a triple. She had six RBIs in the game.
- Bri Sims (Rowlett) also had a home run in the game. She had two RBIs, also hitting a double.
- Kinsie Hebler (Cypress – Cy Fair) had an RBI double. She also pitched the final inning, not giving up a hit.
- Vanessa Muro (Oak Hills, Calif.) also had an RBI and scored three runs. 10 different Lions scored runs in the game.
- Emily Otto pitched the first four innings, striking out six without giving up a run. She earned her 14th win of the season.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 1)
The Lions got things started early in the first inning. The first three batters were hit by pitches. Muro then reached on an error, which scored a run. Schaefer then walked in a run. All base runners scored on the grand slam from Boley. The Lions led 6-0 after one.
 
The Lions added two more runs in the second inning. Sims hit a home run. Schaefer then hit a triple to score another run. Otto struck out a batter in the bottom of the frame. Otto worked herself out of a jam in the third inning, striking out two, including the final batter of the inning with bases loaded. The Lions led 8-0 after three complete.
 
A&M-Commerce added to its lead in the fourth inning. After three consecutive walks, Schaefer came to the plate and blasted a pitch to right center, scoring four runs. She was followed by Boley, who hit a solo home run. Hebler brought in another run on an RBI double. The Lions led 14-0 after Otto struck out all three batters she faced in the bottom of the fourth.
 
Sims had an RBI double in the fifth to score the Lions' final run of the game. Hebler pitched in relief in the bottom of the fifth and kept the game scoreless to secure the win.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE (Game 2)
- Kayla Kilcrease had three RBIs on a double in the fourth inning. She also scored a run.
- Kinsie Hebler had an RBI triple. She also pitched the final 4.1 innings, striking out two. She earned the loss.
- Vanessa Muro also had an RBI double. Jodie Hill (Heavener, Okla.), Allie Thompson (Lindale), Kimber Neal (Humble – Atascocita) and Serina Aguilar (Houston – Spring Woods Senior) all scored runs.
- Emily Otto started the game, striking out six in the first two innings.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 2)
Otto struck out three in the bottom as she remained in top form in game two.  
 
The Lions loaded the bases with two outs in the second inning but could not bring a run across. The Cowgirls then led the inning off with a double before Otto struck out three more. The game remained scoreless after two full innings.
 
The Lions loaded the bases once again in the third inning with two outs but could not get a runner around. The Cowgirls then did some damage in the bottom of the third. Two leadoff singles were followed by a double that scored two runs. Another double scored two more runs and a single brought in another. NMHU led 5-0 after three complete.
 
The Lions scored three runs in the top of the fourth inning. Three consecutive Lions reached base via the walk and all scored on a double from Kilcrease. Hebler retired the side in the bottom of the fourth and the Lions trailed 5-3.
 
After a scoreless fifth by both teams, the Lions added a run in the six inning. Kilcrease was hit by a pitch and scored on a double from Muro, cutting the lead to one. The Lions then tied the game in the seventh. Aguilar drew a walk and scored on a triple from Hebler. The game was tied at five headed into the bottom of the seventh.
 
The Cowgirls rallied, getting three singles, the last of which brought in a run to end the game.