COMMERCE – Julia Sanchez continued her strong week on Saturday afternoon to give the Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team its first series win in the Southland Conference as the Lions collected a 1-0 win over the UIW Cardinals at the John Cain Family Complex.
 
Sanchez (The Kinkaid School) logged another complete game, while striking out five. She is now 5-12 on the season and allowed just two earned runs in 19 innings pitched this week, including back-to-back shutouts against the Cardinals.
 
"What a great week by Julia," said coach Brittany Miller. "We have relied on her to be our ace down the stretch, and she stepped up today when we needed the series win. We also had timely hits offensively that helped us win the series and stay alive for the postseason."
 
With the win, the Lions win their first conference series of the year and improve to 3-15 in Southland play. A&M-Commerce is three games back of seventh place, which is the final spot in the Southland tournament, with six games to go.
 
Just like Friday's 1-0 win in game one, the lone Lion run was scored in the bottom of the fourth. Ayanna Williams (Round Rock – Cedar Ridge) reached third on a UIW fielding error and was brought home by an RBI single to right field by Diamond Sefe (Carson, Calif.), which was the only Lion hit in the game.
 
UIW left four runners on base, including leaving the bases loaded in the first inning. Dariane Cram and Avalon Sanchez had the two hits for UIW. Annie Gunther lost both games she started in the series, despite pitching two complete games and being charged with just one earned run. Gunther struck out two and walked one on Saturday.

JULIA SANCHEZ POST GAME INTERVEW
 
UP NEXT
The Lions welcome Northwestern State next week for the final home series of the season. The doubleheader on Friday begins at 5 p.m. and Senior Day is set for next Saturday at noon.