COMMERCE – With the game-tying run at the plate, East Texas A&M University softball pitcher Madison Kloepper collected a strikeout to give the Lions a 4-1 win over the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Islanders on Saturday afternoon at Chapman Field.
 
It is the first win away from home this season for the Lions, who snapped a 20-game losing streak to move to 6-24 overall and 1-5 in Southland play. The Islanders took the series by winning both games on Friday and are now 8-24 overall and 2-4 against conference opponents.
 
Over the last two years, the Lions are 4-2 against A&M-Corpus Christi.
 
All four runs for the Lions came in the second. With an out, Aaliyah Wilcox (Covington, Ga.) reached on a throwing error, and then a double from Charli Anger (Lubbock – Cooper) advanced Wilcox to third and she scored on the play thanks a throwing error as Anger advanced to third.
 
Zoey Hipolito (Ontario, Calif.) put down a bunt as Anger came around to score on the fielder's choice. Gracie Alejo (Waco – Connally) doubled to right, advancing Hipolito to third.
 
Both Hipolito and Alejo came around to score on a two-run single up the middle by Emma Rodrigues (Little Elm – John Paul II).
 
The Islanders scored their lone run in the third. Zoey Stewart led off the inning with a walk, advanced to third on a base hit by Mimi Thornton, who went to second on the throw. After a walk to load the bases, Kayla Santiago hit a sacrifice fly to center, plating Stewart.
 
The Lions left three runners on base, while the Islanders left nine. In the bottom of the seventh, the Islanders had the bases loaded with two outs, but the strikeout by Kloepper (Llano) secured the win.
 
For the Lions, Rodrigues, Isabella Arzola, KK Cosek (Helendale, Calif.), Anger, and Layni Kimura (Westminster, Calif.) had a hit each in the game.
 
Kloepper allowed six hits, four walks, and struck out one for her fourth win of the year. The Islanders' Kendra Winfrey was charged with four earned runs in 1.1 innings for the loss.
 
UP NEXT
The Lions are back at home in Commerce next weekend to host Lamar. Friday's doubleheader is set for 5 p.m. and Saturday's series finale is slated for a noon start. Tickets can be purchased at LionAthletics.com/tickets.