COMMERCE – Riding a seven-game winning streak, the No. 20 ranked Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team hosts Embry-Riddle University in a midweek non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday at the John Cain Family Softball Complex.
 
WHO: Embry-Riddle at A&M-Commerce
WHERE: Commerce | John Cain Family Softball Complex
WHEN: Wednesday, March 16, 4 & 6 p.m.
RECORDS: The Lions are 21-5 overall and the Eagles are 8-6.
RANKINGS: The Lions No. 21 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association rankings.
 
WATCH: https://lonestarconferencenetwork.com/tamuc/
LIVE STATS GAME 1: http://statb.us/b/403035  
LIVE STATS GAME 2: http://statb.us/b/403036  
 
NATIONAL AND CONFERENCE RECOGNITION
Lion pitcher Alyssa LeBlanc (Katy) was named National Pitcher of the Week by NFCA on February 22, following a perfect game against Fort Lewis on February 16. She was also named Lone Star Conference Pitcher of the Week, joining teammate Emily Otto (Lamar Consolidated), who earned the award earlier this season.
 
NATIONAL RANKINGS
A&M-Commerce have been nationally ranked in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association rankings in all but one poll this season. The Lions moved up another spot this week to reach a season-best ranking of No. 20.
 
A LOOK AT THE LIONS
The Lions have won their last seven and 15 of their last 16. They are 21-5 on the season, reaching 20 wins in every season in program history outside of the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season. Wednesday's doubleheader is the final home game for the Lions before they head back on the road for eight games.
 
Last weekend in four games against Western New Mexico and UT Permian Basin, the Lions secured four run-rule victories and allowed just one run all weekend. Sabrina Anguiano (Riverside, Calif.) led the way with a batting average of .909, three home runs, and seven RBIs.
 
The Lions have stolen 76 bases this season, while being caught just 11 times. As a team, they are batting .335. MacKenzie Dugi (St. Hedwig – East Central) is batting .418, with five doubles, three triples, two home runs, and 16 RBIs. Alina Jasso (San Benito) also hit three home runs last weekend and increased her batting average to .400.
 
Ayanna Williams (Round Rock – Cedar Ridge) leads the team with 28 RBIs, Avery Boley (Fort Worth – Nolan Catholic) has 21 RBIs.
 
Alyssa LeBlanc (Katy) recorded 19 strikeouts in eight innings this weekend, including tying the program record with 13 on Sunday against UT Permian Basin. Emily Otto (Lamar Consolidated) allowed just one run in 10 innings and striking out 17. Destiny Vazquez (Norwalk, Calif.) and Chanlee Oakes (Emory – Rains) had relief appearances this weekend as well.
 
WHAT'S AHEAD
After Wednesday's games, the Lions head back on the road to Midwestern State on Friday at 2 p.m. and at Texas Woman's on Sunday at 1 p.m. to begin an eight-game road trip.
 
SCOUTING THE EAGLES
The Eagles are 8-6 on the season, playing four games in Texas this week. They are taking on Midwestern State on Tuesday evening. Embry-Riddle has a win over No. 14 Auburn-Montgomery and is 6-3 in the Sunshine State Conference.
 
This is the first meeting between the two teams. Mahaliyah Sandbridge leads the team in all three triple crown categories. She is batting .375 with eight RBIs and has hit one home run, which is the only one by the Eagles this season. ReAnne Drayton had seven RBIs, while Maggie Scott and Gigi Auricchio had four each.
 
Kelsi Collins is pitching to an ERA of 2.29 with 50 strikeouts and is 5-3 on the season. Mallory Kinahan has started five games and has an ERA of 2.50 with 18 strikeouts and a record of 3-3.