COMMERCE – The No. 6 Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team dropped the final of the Lone Star Conference series with No. 13 West Texas A&M University by a 5-2 count on Monday afternoon.
 
The Lions are now 32-5 overall and 17-4 in the Lone Star Conference, while the Lady Buffs are 31-6 overall and 14-4 in the LSC.
 
The Lions head west for their next action, taking on Western New Mexico in a three-game series. Action in Silver City, N.M., starts with a 1 p.m. MDT doubleheader on Friday, with a single game at 10 a.m. MDT Saturday
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

- Mariah Jameyson reached base three times in the game, plating a run when she reached on an error and walking twice.

- Ciera Nunez reached on a run and a walk, and Jodie Hill collected the Lions' other hit. Kinsie Hebler and Monica Cherry each also drew walks.

- Emily Otto was tagged with a loss in the complete game effort, falling to 13-3 on the year. She allowed only four hits, walking three and striking out three.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

The Lions scored the game's opening run in the bottom of the first after Nunez led off with a walk and stole second. Jameyson hit a ball to right field with two outs and the Lady Buff right fielder dropped the ball, allowing Nunez to score and put the hosts up 1-0.
 
Otto retired the first seven Lady Buffs in order before issuing two walks. Kourtney Coveney converted those walks into runs with a three-run homer to right on a full count with two out, giving the visitors a 3-1 lead in the third inning.
 
A&M-Commerce was stymied on scoring opportunities, stranding two runners in the fourth and leaving the bases loaded in the fifth.
 
West Texas A&M scored a pair of runs in the top of the fifth on a two-run homer by Ashley Hardin, who dinged the left field foul pole for a 5-1 lead.
 
The Lions scored a run in the bottom of the inning on Baylea Higgs' fielder's choice. Jameyson's walk loaded the bases with two outs, but a groundout ended the inning with the Lions trailing 5-2.
 
Otto allowed only one baserunner in the final two innings, but the Lions were unable to convert chances in the late going. A&M-Commerce had two runners in scoring position with one out in the sixth, and a ground out and fly out thwarted the chance. The Lions were retired in order in the seventh to give the Lady Buffs the win.