COMMERCE – A three-run bottom of the sixth helped the Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team earn a split on the first day of the Lion Invitational at John Cain Family Field, falling 7-0 to Omaha in the first game on Friday and beating South Dakota, 3-2, in the nightcap.
 
The win over the Coyotes snapped a seven-game losing streak for the Lions, who are now 5-8 on the season. Omaha, a 2023 NCAA Tournament participant, is 8-5, while South Dakota is 5-7.
 
"Our bats struggled again to start the day, but credit to our pitching staff for keeping us in the game against South Dakota," said coach Brittany Miller. "I'm proud of the way we responded in the sixth and took the lead."
 
GAME 1: OMAHA 7, A&M-COMMERCE 0
The Mavericks wasted no time to get runs on the board. Lynsey Tucker led off the game with a base hit to center and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Maggie O'Brien. Sydney Thomason reached on a one-out walk and Emma Durr reached on a fielder's choice as the Lions tagged out Tucker at third.
 
With two outs, Ava Rongisch was hit by a pitch, which loaded the bases. Sydney Ross hit an infield single to plate Thomas and Haley Wilwerding tripled to right, which scored Ross, Rongisch, and Durr.
 
The Mavericks plated four in the top of the first on three hits, with all four runs being scored after the second out was recorded.
 
Tucker hit a one-hit single to left center in the second and O'Brien followed with a double to center that scored Tucker, with O'Brien moving to third on the throw. Thomason brought home O'Brien with a sacrifice fly to left.
 
Omaha's seventh run of the game came in the fifth. Ross singled to second to lead off the game. Olivia Aden hit a grounder and all runners were safe on a Lion throwing error, with Ross advancing to second with one out. Marra Cramer doubled to left center as Ross came around to score and Aden was tagged out at third.
 
Tucker, Thomason, and Wilweding had multi-hit games for Omaha. For the Lions, the three hits came from Charli Anger (Lubbock – Cooper), Emmie Miehe (Cameron Park, Calif.), and Kasey Kuyrkendall (Royse City), respectively.
 
Sydney Nuismer pitched five shut-out innings for the Mavericks and got the win in the circle. She struck out five, while allowing three hits. For the Lions, Maddie Muller (Frisco – Memorial) took the loss, surrendering six earned runs in two innings.
 
Anissa Arredondo (San Antonio – Warren) pitched the final five innings, striking out four and allowing just one unearned run.
 
GAME 2: A&M-COMMERCE 3, SOUTH DAKOTA 2
Both teams did not score a run until the sixth inning. South Dakota left two runners on base in the first and the Lions left one. Heading into the sixth inning, the Coyotes left six runners on base and the Lions left three.
 
Alecea Mendoza singled to right with one out in the top of the sixth. Gabby Moser singled to shortstop and was pinch run for by Brylee Hempey. After a pop out, Alexia Terrazas walked to load the bases, and Rylie Jones hit a two-run single to center for the first runs of the game.
 
South Dakota left runners at first and second to end the inning.
 
In the bottom of the sixth, Lencia Powell (Birdville) came in as a pinch hitter and reached on a fielding error. She stole second, while the first out of the inning was recorded. Tatum Wright (Frisco – Centennial) also entered the game as a pinch hitter and reached on a throwing error to put runners at the corners with one out.
 
Diamond Sefe (Carson, Calif.) pinch hit for the Lions and KK Cosek (Helendale, Calif.) returned into the game for Wright. Cosek and Powell executed a double steal with Powell stealing home and Cosek going to third. Sefe hit an infield single, which advanced Cosek to third.
 
On a strikeout, Sefe stole second. Darby Hickey (Plano Senior) entered the game as a pinch hitter and hit a two-run single to center on the first pitch, which put the Lions in the lead for the first time in the game.
 
The Coyotes ended the inning on a groundout. South Dakota threatened to tie the game in the seventh. Tatum Vilotta doubled to left to lead off the inning and was moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Delaney White.
 
After a ground out to third on which the Lions were able to hold Vilotta at third, Mendoza drew a nine-pitch walk. The Lions took the win on a fielder's choice, taking the force out of Mendoza at second.
 
Moser went 2 for 4 for the Coyotes. A&M-Commerce was limited to just three hits, with two coming in the sixth by Sefe and Hickey. The other hit was from Cosek.
 
Powell stole two bases in the game, while Cosek, who reached base safely twice, stole one, and Sefe stole one.
 
In the circle, Clara Edwards pitched a complete game for South Dakota, but took the loss. She allowed just three runs on three hits, while striking out eight.
 
Julia Sanchez (The Kinkaid School) struck out three in her complete-game win, improving to 3-2 on the season. She allowed eight hits and four walks.
 
UP NEXT
The Lions continue the Lion Invitational on Saturday against South Dakota at 4:30 p.m. and Tarleton at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at LionAthletics.com/Tickets.