DENTON – The Texas A&M University-Commerce softball dropped two tightly contested games on Friday at Lovelace Stadium, falling 1-0 to No. 15/14 ranked Missouri and 2-0 to South Dakota State.
 
The Lions fall to 4-4 on the season, while Missouri remains undefeated on the season at 6-0 and South Dakota State is 4-2. These two games were the only games away from home for the Lions in the month of February.
 
"Our pitching and defense were great throughout the day, we just did not execute at the plate," said coach Brittany Miller. "Excited to be back home tomorrow and face SIUE for three games."
 
NO. 15/14 MISSOURI 1, A&M-COMMERCE 0
The Lions were no-hit by Cierra Harrison in the game, but Julia Sanchez (The Kinkaid School) did not allow a hit in the game either, tossing six hits of one-run ball.
 
In the bottom of the first, Jenna Laird led off the game with a four-pitch walk and stole second. After a fly out, Laird stole another base and came around to score on a sacrifice fly to right by Julia Crenshaw. It was the only run scored by either team in the game.
 
The two teams combined for five base runners in the game.
 
Harrison struck out eight in her no-hitter, while Sanchez struck out two and walked one in her complete-game loss. Harrison is 3-0 on the season, while Sanchez moves to 2-2.
 
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 2, A&M-COMMERCE 0
It did not take long for the Lions to get their first hit in the second game, as Diamond Sefe (Carson, Calif.) led off the game with a single through the left side.
 
After two outs in the bottom of the first, Emma Osmundson hit a line drive down the right field line. The ball was initially misplayed by the Lions, as Osmundson made her away around the basepaths and scored an inside-the-park home run for the early 1-0 lead.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, Alexa Williams drew a walk to lead off the inning and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Williams advanced to third on a groundout and scored on an RBI single through the left side by Mia Jarecki.
 
The Lions had three hits in the game with one each from Sefe, Isabella Arzola (Chino, Calif.), and Charli Anger (Lubbock – Cooper).
 
Maddie Muller took the loss in the circle for A&M-Commerce. She pitched six innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits and two walks. She struck out one. Muller is now 2-1 on the season.
 
For the Jackrabbits, Akayla Barnard picked up a complete-game shutout win for the Jackrabbits. She allowed three hits, while striking out six and allowing one walk.
 
UP NEXT
The Lions head back home to host SIUE for a three-game series this weekend. The doubleheader begins at 1 p.m. on Saturday and the series finale is at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
 
Tickets for the series can be purchased at LionAthletics.com/Tickets.