COMMERCE – Despite an early lead, the Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team fell 8-4 to the SIUE Cougars on Sunday afternoon to close out the weekend series at the John Cain Family Softball Field.
 
"This weekend was disappointing," said coach Brittany Miller. "We failed to execute in big moments. We had the early lead in the game once again today but could not protect it. Hopefully, the rally in the seventh inning can build some momentum for us going into next weekend."
 
After a scoreless first, the Lions took the lead in the second with a pair of runs. Stephanie Tapia (Yuma, Ariz.) drew a one-out walk and Emmie Miehe (Cameron Park, Calif.) came in as the pinch runner, advancing to second on a wild pitch.
 
Ashley Diaz (Chino, Calif.) doubled to left and drove in Miehe. Charli Anger (Lubbock – Cooper) followed with a one-run double to left center, bringing home Diaz.
 
In the top of the third, Madison Kearns reached on a muffed throw by the Lions and was moved to second via a sacrifice bunt by Danielle Shuey. After a walk, Grace Lueke singled to center as Kearns came around to score. The Cougars had runners at second and third, but a groundout ended the inning.
 
The Lions added to their lead in the fourth. KK Cosek (Helendale, Calif.) hit a one-out base hit and advanced a base on a walk drawn by Diaz. Kasey Kuyrkendall (Royse City) drove in Cosek with a one-run single to center. A line out ended the scoring threat for the Lions.
 
Paige Rocha doubled to left center to lead off the top of the fifth. After a walk by Lueke, Piper Montgomery singled through the right side as Rocha scored.
 
The Lions made a pitching change and forced a 6-4-3 double play, with Lueke advancing to third. Lauren Yslava brought home Lueke and tied the game with an infield base hit. Jenna Herron continued the inning for SIUE with a double down the left field line, as Yslava advanced to third.
 
Both Yslava and Herron scored on a scorching two-run double to center by Jenna Little, who was tagged out at third to end the inning. The Cougars scored four runs on five hits, with three runs coming after the second out was recorded.
 
The Cougars added two more runs in the top of the sixth. Kearns singled and Shuey walked to put two on with none out. The Lions made another pitching change and Rocha singled to left to load the bases.
 
Lueke reached on a dropped fly ball in the outfield as both Shuey and Kearns scored. The Lions got out of the inning with two fly outs and a grounder.
 
In the top of the seventh, Herron walked and stole second. After two straight outs by A&M-Commerce, Harley Limberger came in as a pinch hitter and hit a one-run single to center, plating Herron.
 
Down by five entering the bottom of the seventh, the Lions did bring the tying run to the plate, but the rally was not enough. After a groundout, Kuyrkendall reached on a throwing error. Following a strikeout, Pitts singled to third base and Ashlynn Griffith (Cedar Hill) singled to second, loading the bases.
 
Tatum Wright (Frisco – Centennial) re-entered the game and drew a walk to bring home Kuyrkendall and put the game-tying run at the plate. The Cougars secured the win with a three-pitch strikeout.
 
The Cougars received multi-hit games from Rocha at the top of the order and Yslava. For the Lions, Pitts went 2 for 4 and now leads the team in batting average (.444), after batting 7 for 11 (.636) in the series. She stole the only base for the Lions as well.
 
Emma Henderson started the game for the Cougars and Maddie Muller (Frisco – Memorial) was in the circle to start the game for the Lions. Henderson pitched 1.2 innings and allowed two earned runs, while Muller allowed two earned runs in four innings of work, allowing five walks and four hits. Both starters received no decisions.
 
Kelsey Ray got the win, pitching 2.1 innings and allowing one earned run. Rylie Pindel picked up a save for the second straight game, allowing just one hit and one walk, while striking out three and allowing one unearned run in the final three innings. Emma Olsen (Elk Grove, Calif.) took the loss for the Lions. She allowed four earned runs in one inning.
 
A&M-Commerce falls to 4-7 on the season, having lost six in a row, while the Cougars swept the Lions to improve to 4-4 on the season.
 
UP NEXT
The Lions host the Lion Invitational next weekend, playing Omaha and South Dakota for a doubleheader starting at 4 p.m. next Friday. Tickets for all home games can be purchased at LionAthletics.com/Tickets.