CORPUS CHRISTI – The Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team ended the first series of Southland Conference play with an 8-0 loss in five innings to A&M-Corpus Christi on Saturday afternoon at Chapman Field.
 
"Today's effort was disappointing, especially the first inning. We have to work on getting better as a pitching staff on our approach once there are two outs in an inning, that is key to limiting the big run innings," said coach Brittany Miller.
 
After a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the first, the first two Islander batters retired in order. Taniece Tyson doubled down the left field line and Monee Montilla brought her home with a double to left center, while advancing to third.
 
Paolina Baez hit an infield single, which scored Montilla. Baez stole second and went to third on a passed ball. Sidney Campion drew a walk and a throwing error by the Lions allowed Baez to score, while Campion went to third.
 
Following a walk drawn from Rhea-Ann Avalos, who advanced to second, after a Lion pitching change. Crystal Davila hit an infield single, driving in Campion, with Avalos going to third. Davila advanced to second, with Precious Aholelei doubling to left center, plating both Davila and Avalos.
 
The Islanders had runners at second and third in the first, but a groundout ended the inning. A&M-Corpus Christi scored six on six hits, one error, and left two on base, all coming after two outs were registered in the inning.
 
Alina  Jasso led off the bottom of the fourth with a base hit to right. Following an infield pop out, Tyson hit a towering home run to left, which put the Islanders up 8-0 entering the fifth.
 
The Lions left four runners on base in the game. Charli Anger (Lubbock – Cooper) went 2 for 2 in the game for the team's only two hits. Darby Hickey (Plano Senior) came in as a pinch runner to draw a walk and Diamond Sefe (Carson, Calif.) was hit by a pitch. Anissa Arredondo (San Antonio - McLennan) started the game and got the loss for the Lions. 
 
Tyson went 3 for 3 with two RBIs and two runs scored for the Islanders. The top five batters in the Islander batting order went 8 for 15 in the game. Primrose Aholelei struck out eight in the five-inning complete game win.
 
The Lions have lost 12 in a row and are now 5-20 overall and 0-3 in conference play, while the Islanders are 15-6 overall and 3-0 in conference play.
 
UP NEXT
The Lions play a mid-week doubleheader at Sam Houston on Tuesday, starting at 3 p.m.