COMMERCE – The No. 10 Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team lost a 2-0 decision to Rogers State on a rainy Sunday afternoon in the final day of the Best Western Plus Invitational. The Lion defense played well but the bats could not catch fire to provide run support.
 
The loss brings the Lions to 6-3 on the season, while Rogers State improves to 7-2 on the year.
 
The Lions next return to the diamond on Feb. 21 as they play in the Edmond Regional Festival, hosted by Central Oklahoma. The Lions will face Fort Hays State at 10 a.m. before facing Nebraska-Kearney at 2 p.m.
 
HEAD COACH RICHIE BRUISTER AFTER THE GAME
- Thoughts on the game: "LeBlanc threw really well and should have gotten the win. Our bats have to do their job and we keep making the same mistakes and aren't making the adjustments we need to. Our team is better than what we are showing. But I'm optimistic that we will show up. We have a lot of softball left and I'm looking forward to when we start clicking and play consistently good softball."
- On the home crowd at the A&M-Commerce Invitational: "We have the greatest fans in the world. We have a beautiful complex for them to come and watch softball. Even in the rain today, we had the stands full and they were doing their job of cheering for us and supporting us. I'm proud of what they represent and thankful for their wonderful support."
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Alyssa LeBlanc (Katy) pitched her first career complete game, and struck out seven batters while giving up only four hits.
- Jodie Hill (Heavener, Okla.), Serina Aguilar (Houston – Spring Woods) and Kinsie Hebler (Cypress – Cy-Fair) all had hits for the Lions.
- The Lions left six runners on base in the game, while Rogers State left nine on base.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Lion defense forced three consecutive outs to start the game and had an opportunity early. Hill led the bottom of the first with a single, and stole a base to get into scoring position. However, she could not be brought around to score.
 
The Hillcats struck first with a home run to lead off the second inning. LeBlanc pitched a pair of strikeouts to limit the team to just one run in the inning. Aguilar had a leadoff double in the bottom of the third but the run was not brought home.
 
Rogers State brought another run across in the third inning, after a pair of walks and put a runner in scoring position, a fielder's choice allowed a run to score, taking RSU's lead to 2-0 after three complete.
 
The Lion bats continued to struggle until the fifth inning, when Hebler led off the inning with a single. The Lions could not bring the run home. LeBlanc continued to pitch well to limit Rogers State but the Lions could not find the offense they needed.