Mesquite – The Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team picked up two wins on Friday. The Lions defeated Newman University 10-4 in their first contest and Oklahoma Baptist 2-1 in their second contest.
 
The wins bring the Lions to 7-1 on the season.
 
The Lions will continue their tournament with two weather-permitting games on Saturday. The Lions will face No. 10 Southern Arkansas at 10 a.m. and Lubbock Christian at 12:30 p.m. Both games will be played at the Mesquite Girls Softball Complex.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

- Kinsie Hebler had three hits on the day. She scored one run and had one RBI.

- Jodie Hill had a two RBI double in the second game. She had four RBIs on the day.

- Baylea Higgs and Vanessa Avina both had two hits. Higgs also had an RBI and a stolen base. Ciera Nunez had three stolen bases.

- Mariah Jameyson and Kayla Kilcrease also had one hit apiece. Higgs, Jameyson, Nunez and Kimber Neal all scored two runs. Monica Cherry also scored a run and had an RBI.

- Kinsie Hebler got the win in the first game and Katie Dean got the win in the second game. Selena Rima saved the first game and Emily Otto saved the second game.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 1)

The Jets struck first with a leadoff walk. The runner stole second base and scored on a double. NU then singled up the middle to bring another run across, bringing the Newman lead to 2-0.
 
The Lions answered back with a plenitude of runs in the bottom of the first. Nunez and Higgs both walked and stole bases. Nunez had two steals and on her second steal, the throw was wide and allowed her to score. Hebler then singled to drive in Higgs and the score was tied.
 
The Lions did not stop there as Jameyson walked. The next two batters were hit by pitches and the bases were loaded. Hill and Cherry both brought in runs via walk. Nunez then reached on a fielder's choice with a throwing error, scoring two more runs. Cherry then stole home to give the Lions a 7-2 lead after one complete inning.
 
Hebler retired the side in the top of the second and the Lions brought another run across the plate in the bottom of the inning. Jameyson singled through the middle and she was moved into scoring position on a bunt. A sacrifice fly from Hill brought in another run and the Lions led 8-2 after two innings.
 
The Jets scored runs in the fourth and fifth innings as the Lion hitters could not find space in the NU defense over the next two innings and the Lions led 8-4 after five complete.
 
Rima forced three up and three down in the top of the sixth inning and the Lions scored two more runs in the bottom of the sixth. Nunez reached on a walk and stole second base. Higgs then tripled into right center. Jameyson flied out to center for the sacrifice fly and the Lions took a 10-4 lead into the final inning.
 
Rima made quick work of the batters she faced in the seventh, retiring them in order to complete the three-inning save.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 2)
It was a pitchers duel for the first several innings. Dead caused three ground outs in the first inning to retire the side. Hebler doubled in the bottom of the inning but she could not be brought around.
 
Dean had a strikeout in the top of the second and again retired the side in order. The Lions were also taken down in order to keep the game scoreless.
 
The Bison had two hits in the top of the third and a walk loaded the bases with one out. The next pitch caused a groundout that Neal threw home for the force out. A pop up ended the inning without a run crossing the plate. Avina doubled in the bottom of the inning but could not be around.
 
Dean made quick work of the Bison again in the fourth inning and the Lions were able to get on the board in the bottom half of the frame. Hebler singled and Neal drew a walk. Both scored on a scorched double from Hill. The Lions led 2-0 after four complete innings.
 
The Bison answered back with a run in the top of the fifth. A walk and two singles brought a run across. The Lions were retired in order in the bottom of the inning and the score was 2-1 after five innings.
 
The Lions brought in Otto to close out the game and she did just that. She went three-up and three down in the sixth inning. After the Lions also went three-up and three down, Otto stepped into the circle in the final inning. She struck the first batter out swinging. After two singles, she then struck out the final two batters to get the save.