COMMERCE – Julia Sanchez made history for Texas A&M University-Commerce softball on Friday evening at the John Cain Family Complex, by pitching the program's first no hitter since moving up to NCAA Division I, in the 1-0 win over the UIW Cardinals, who took the nightcap with a score of 5-0.
 
The win in game one on Friday snapped a 14-game losing streak for the Lions, who now stand at 6-35 on the season overall and 2-15 in Southland play. The Cardinals are 14-25-1 overall and 6-11 in conference play after Friday's games.
 
"I am extremely happy for Julia and her performance today," said coach Brittany Miller. "She has shown great consistency over the last few starts, and we hope to ride on that momentum going into tomorrow's game."
 
Sanchez (The Kinkaid School) faced the minimum 21 batters in the game. The only baserunner she allowed was a walk to the leadoff batter to start the game, but a Lion double play ended the first inning.
 
She threw the eighth no hitter in program history, almost a year to the day of the Lions' last no hitter. Alyssa LeBlanc threw a seven-inning no hitter against Henderson State last season on April 20.
 
Game 1: A&M-COMMERCE 1, UIW 0
Avery Zeigler (Southlake Carroll) went 3 for 3 in game one and in the fourth, she started a one-out rally that led to the only run in the game. She singled to left, followed by a base hit by Diamond Sefe (Carson, Calif.), and Zeigler advanced to third on the play thanks to a throwing error.
 
Tatum Wright (Frisco – Centennial) came in as a pinch hitter and drove in Zeigler with a fielder's choice.
 
Zeigler had three of the four hits for the Lions in the game and Sefe had the other hit. Sanchez struck out three in the 86-pitch complete game and improved to 4-12 on the season.
 
For the Cardinals, Annie Gunther took the complete-game loss. She struck out four and was not charged with any earned runs.
 
Game 2: UIW 5, A&M-COMMERCE 0
The Cardinals scored four of their five runs in the fourth inning. Madison Guillen led off the inning with a base hit, Dominique Guerra reached on a fielder's choice as Guillen was tagged out at second. Dariane Cram singled to right and Ryleigh Mata drew a walk to load the bases.
 
Aaliyah Garcia hit a one-run single to right to bring home Guerra, while Kendall McGarry drilled a two-run double to right center to plate Cram and Mata. After a pitching change, Avalon Sanchez plated another run on an RBI groundout as Garcia scored.
 
In the top of the seventh, Cram led off with a single to the pitcher and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Mata. She came around to score on a triple down the right field line by McGary.
 
The Lions left five on base with Ayanna Williams (Round Rock – Cedar Ridge) and America Rubio (El Paso – Montwood), who came in as a pinch hitter, collecting the only two hits. Kaydee Bennett (Caddo Mills) drew two walks.
 
In the circle for the Lions, Anissa Arredondo (San Antonio – Warren) was charged with the loss after allowing four earned runs in 2.1 innings. McKenna Meadors (The Woodlands Christian Academy) allowed one earned run in the final 4.2 innings of the game.
 
Madison Floyd picked up the two-hit complete-game win for the Cardinals. She recorded four strikeouts and walked four.
 
UP NEXT
The rubber match between the Lions and the Cardinals is set for noon on Saturday.