COMMERCE – The Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team dropped a 4-0 contest to the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Lady Lions on Wednesday afternoon at John Cain Family Field.
 
The Lions and the Lady Lions split the two-game series. A&M-Commerce is 6-30 on the season, while UAPB is 12-12.
 
Neither team had a hit through the first three and half innings. In the top of the fifth, Leah Stouder singled through the right side for the Lady Lions' first hit, being pinch run for by Jasmine Carlson. She advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Ariana Gonzalez.
 
Carlsson went to third on a wild pitch and scored on a single through the left side by Jada Crusterson, who came in as a pinch hitter. Malani Francis followed with a base hit and both runners moved up a base on a sacrifice bunt by Jazlyn Gomez.
 
Crusterson scored on a passed ball and Amari Broughton drove in Francis with a base hit to left. The Lady Lions left two runners on base in the inning.
 
UAPB added the fourth run of the game in the seventh. Justice Walton hit an infield bunt single, while Francis reached on a muffed throw as she was attempting to move Walton to second on a bunt. Francis stole second and Walton scored on a sacrifice fly to center by Gomez. The Lions got the final two outs of the inning to keep it at 4-0.
 
A&M-Commerce left four runners on base in the game, including two at third. Isabella Arzola (Chino, Calif.) had the only hit for the Lions, a base hit to right in the fourth. Destiny Martinez (Denver, Colo.) took the loss, allowing two earned runs, which both came in the fifth. She tossed 4.2 innings.
 
For the Lady Lions, Kayla Adams tossed a complete game shutout, striking out eight, and is now 8-4 on the season.
 
UP NEXT
A&M-Commerce resumes Southland Conference play this weekend at UIW. Friday's game is set for 4 p.m., while Saturday's doubleheader begins at noon.