COMMERCE – Allowing just one run on Friday evening, the No. 9 Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team swept the Texas A&M International Dustdevils by scores of 5-0 and 4-1, respectively, while growing their lead atop the Lone Star Conference standings.
 
Securing a 30-win season for the fifth time in program history, the Lions are 31-7 overall and 16-2 in LSC games. A&M-Commerce ends Friday with a two-game lead in the standings, there are four teams tied for second place. The Dustdevils drop to 14-24 overall and 7-11 overall.

POSTGAME INTERVIEW
 
GAME 1: No. 9 A&M-Commerce 5, Texas A&M International 0
Both teams had at least one runner reach base safely in each of the first two innings. After a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the third, the Lions added three runs in the bottom of the third.
 
Leo Terry (Emory – Rains) doubled to left and came around to score on an RBI double to right center by Madison Schaefer (Frisco – Independence). Alyssa LeBlanc (Katy) singled through the left side and Ayanna Williams (Round Rock – Cedar Ridge) singled to left to drive in Schaefer. Sabrina Anguiano (Riverside, Calif.) brought home LeBlanc on sacrifice fly to right.
 
Otto had a no-hitter bid through 5.2 innings, but two straight hits gave the Dustdevils runners at first and third. A fly out to center got the Lions out of the inning.
 
Coming in as a pinch hitter with a runner at second and an out in the sixth, Avery Zeigler (Southlake – Carroll) drilled a two-run home run to left for her first home run as a Lion.
 
AVERY ZEIGLER HOME RUN HIGHLIGHT
 
The Dustdevils had one more hit in the top of the seventh, but Avery Boley (Fort Worth – Nolan Catholic) caught the runner stealing at second to give the Lions their 30^th win of the season.
 
Otto moves to 14-2 on the season, pitching her third complete game shutout of the season. She allowed three hits and two walks on Friday in exchange for seven punch outs. She has lowered her season earned run average to 1.96. Williams went 2 for 3 in the game and had two stolen bases as well.
 
Darrian Smith drops to 10-8 on the season, she allowed eight hits and two walks, while striking out six.
 
GAME 2: No. 9 A&M-Commerce 4, Texas A&M International 1
Neither side mustered up any runs through the first 2.5 innings. The Lions loaded the bases in the bottom of the third on a double by LeBlanc and two walks. Uxua Modrego (Burlada, Spain) and MacKenzie Dugi (St. Hedwig – East Central) drew bases loaded walks to give the Lions two runs, but they left the bases loaded as well.
 
Melanie Gamb led off the top of the third with a single to left, moved to second on a walk, and score on an RBI by Victoria Mal. The Dustdevils had runners two runners on with one out, but an out at third on the hit by Mal, and a groundout ended the inning.
 
Boley reached base via a walk to lead off the fourth. Anguiano followed with her seventh home run of the season to bring home Alina Jasso (San Benito), who pinch ran for Boley.
 
SABRINA ANGUIANO HOME RUN HIGHLIGHT
 
LeBlanc started game two for the Lions and collected her 11^th of the win of the season, tossing five innings with five hits, one earned run, one walk, and six strikeouts. Destiny Vasquez (Norwalk, Calif.) closed out the final two innings for her second save of the year. She allowed one hit and a walk, while punching out three.
 
Sara Papizan falls to 2-3 on the season, pitching six innings and allowing four runs on four hits and six walks. She struck out five.     
 
UP NEXT
The Lions remain in Commerce to host No. 12 Texas A&M-Kingsville on Sunday afternoon. First pitch for game one is scheduled for Noon.