CONROE – The No. 10 Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team picked up a pair of wins in the season opener on Friday in Conroe. The Lions defeated No. 7 Central Oklahoma 10-0 in five innings, and defeated Harding 2-1 later in the day.
 
The No. 10 Lions return to the diamond on Saturday with another pair of games in Conroe. The Lions will face Pittsburg State at 12:30 p.m. and Minnesota Duluth at 5:30 p.m. at the Scrap Yard Sports Complex.
 
HEAD COACH RICHIE BRUISTER AFTER THE GAMES
- Thoughts on game one against No. 7 Central Oklahoma: "You always have those opening day jitters. I was very proud of the offense coming up big in that first game. We got some runs up on the board. That way, Otto could settle in and do her thing, and let the defense take over. Anytime you are scoring a lot of runs, it's really nice."
- Thoughts on the defense in both games: "It all starts in the circle. Otto pitched a gem with an opening game shutout against the No. 7 team in the country. And then LeBlanc was right there behind her. They both pitched great. And then anytime we have the opportunity, we will bring in Otto to close it out. She obviously did that in the seventh inning to help her teammate out in a close ball game. I'm proud of what they both did."
- On the character the team showed: "It's always good to win those close ones early in the year. We showed great character today pulling that game out. The upper classmen stepped up and the freshmen came in and played well as well. That's what you have to have. The offense did really well, and showed a lot of power all through the lineup. We have two great pitchers. It was great to see everyone contributing."
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE (Game 1)
- Kinsie Hebler (Cypress – Cy-Fair) hit a three-run homer in the top of the first, moving into a tie for first place in program history in home runs hit. She also had an RBI double in the game.
- Madison Schaefer (Frisco – Independence) also had a three-run homer, coming in the second inning. She had four RBIs in the game and scored twice.
- Emily Otto (Richmond – Lamar) picked up her 16th career shutout, and her 39th career complete game. The Lion ace had a pair of strikeouts and gave up only three hits in the game.
- Chealsea Slider (Texarkana, Ark.) had two hits and scored a run. Uxua Modrego (Burlada, Spain) also scored twice and had a hit.
- Jodie Hill (Heavener, Okla.) had two hits and scored once. Serina Aguilar (Houston – Spring Woods) and Kynslee Noriega (Kyle - Lehman) also had hits, while Allie Thompson (Lindale) and Valori Voorheese (Sulphur Springs - Homeschool) also scored runs.
- The Lions have won their first game of the year in each of their six seasons.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 1)
The Lions got the scoring started right off the bat, as Hill singled and Modrego reached on a walk. Hebler then came to the plate and smashed the first pitch she saw right over the fence, giving the Lions a 3-0 lead. Otto struck out one UCO player in the bottom of the inning.
 
In the second inning, it was Schaefer who hit the three-run bomb, scoring both Slider and LeBlanc. The Lion defense retired the side in order in the bottom half of the inning, leading 6-0 after two complete innings.
 
The Lion offense added a run in both the third and the fourth innings. Noriega had an RBI single in the third, and Hebler added to her RBI total with an RBI single in the fourth. The Lion defense continued its stellar play, as just one hit came in the next two innings. The Lions led 8-0 after four.
 
Schaefer brought in another run in the fifth as she reached on a fielder's choice with two outs. The Lions pushed another run across as Modrego reached on another fielder's choice, giving the Lions a 10-0 lead. The Lion defense closed out the bottom of the inning to give the team the run-rule shutout win.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE (Game 2)
- Alyssa LeBlanc (Katy) pitched a six innings, allowing one run with five strikeouts. She also had an RBI triple to give the Lions the lead.
- Madison Schaefer had an RBI on a sacrifice fly. Avery Boley (Fort Worth – Nolan Catholic) also had a double.
- Emily Otto completed the game, earning her first save of the year.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 2)
LeBlanc had two strikeouts in the top of the first inning, and added another in the top of the second . The Lion offense then took off as LeBlanc aided her own cause with an RBI triple. She later scored on a sacrifice fly from Schaefer. The Lions led 2-0 after two complete.
 
LeBlanc had another strikeout in the top of the third, but the Lion offense could not capitalize on two walks, as both teams were scoreless. The Lions again had two walks to begin the fourth inning but could not increase their lead.
 
Both teams had a pair of baserunners reach in the fifth inning, but both pitching staffs and defenses would not allow a run to come across. Harding  found its run in the sixth inning, as a single was followed by a triple to score the runner. After six complete, the Lions led 2-1.
 
Otto entered the game to close the contest, and retired the first two batters. Harding hit a triple to put the tying run in scoring position with two outs, however, Otto flew out the next batter, completing the save.