KINGSVILLE– The No. 7 Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team fell 3-1 to No. 3 Texas A&M-Kingsville in the Lone Star Conference Tournament Championship game on Saturday night. After tying the game early, the Lions could not overcome the deficit.
 
The loss brings the Lions to 38-12 on the season after reaching the LSC Tournament Championship game for the first time in program history. The Javelinas improve to 42-8 on the year.
 
The Lions await their seeding in the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament. The top two seeds in the region will host a four-team double elimination tournament and the NCAA tournament field will be announced Monday at 9 a.m. The Lions will host a Selection Show watch party at MUGS on the Square in Downtown Commerce.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Katie Dean (Whitesboro) pitched a complete game, allowing just two earned runs and striking out three hitters.
- Jodie Hill (Heavener, Okla.) had a solo home run in the third inning. It was her 13th home run of the season.
- Hill was joined by Chealsea Slider (Texarkana – Texas HS), Kayla Kilcrease (Kerens), Madison Schaefer (Frisco – Independence) and Emily Otto (Richmond – Lamar Consolidated) on the LSC All-Tournament team.
- It was the first LSC Tournament Championship appearance for A&M-Commerce.
 
HEAD COACH RICHIE BRUISTER AFTER THE GAME
- On his team's play: "I'm extremely proud of this team. We keep putting ourselves in situations to win championships. Kingsville was just better than us tonight. We had some things that didn't go our way, but I was extremely proud of how our team fought. Our pitching staff kept us in the ball games. The hitters made some adjustments. Kingsville just made a great defensive play. We had a chance to go ahead. But it was fun. It was a great atmosphere. Unfortunately, we didn't win but I'm still excited about how our team played."
- Looking forward to regional rankings: "I think we've done our job to be the second seed. It's based on what teams have done all year. To get to the finals of the Lone Star Conference tournament, that shows you are deserving. This is the toughest region in the country. I'm looking forward to it. I'm excited for out watch party on Monday morning at Mugs. I'm excited for a great crowd to come out and to celebrate another record-breaking season. It's hard to host. To have that opportunity to be talked about is exciting. Hopefully we are bringing this great game to Commerce."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both pitchers started well as Dean pitched two strikeouts in the first inning. The Javelinas then took the lead in the second inning on a pair of singles and a groundout. A&M-Kingsville led 1-0 after two complete innings.
 
The Lions tied the game in the third inning as Hill smashed a pitch to left center for her 13th homer of the year. Kilcrease got a single to follow but the offense could not bring her around.
 
The Javelinas regained the lead in the bottom of the third with a pair of doubles driving in a run. Another long ball was hit to right center but Kilcrease made a diving catch, saving two runs from coming across. The Lions trailed 2-1 after three complete.
 
The Lions had a pair of runners reach in the fifth inning and had a deep hit into right center. However, the Javelina center fielder made a tip of the glove catch to rob the Lions of a hit. The Javelinas then added a run in the bottom of the fifth to take a 3-1 lead.
 
The Lions were unable to get the rally they needed and lost the game.