Silver City, New Mexico -- The No. 7 Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team defeated Western New Mexico 18-3 on Saturday. The Lions had offensive explosions in the second and seventh innings to run away with the contest.
The win brings the Lions to 35-5 on the season and 20-4 in the Lone Star Conference. The Mustangs fall to 4-38 and 2-22 in conference play.
The Lions return to action on Friday for a three-game home series against Angelo State. The teams will play in a single game on Friday at 7 p.m. They will then meet in a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 2 p.m. All games will be played at the John Cain Family Softball Field.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Kinsie Hebler hit a grand slam in the second inning. She had three hits with six RBIs on the day. For the series she had five home runs, 11 hits and 19 RBIs.
- Mariah Jameyson hit a grand slam in the seventh inning. She went 2-for-5 on the day with two runs scored and four RBIs.
- Kayla Kilcrease hit two home runs on the day. She had three RBIs and three runs scored.
- Allie Thompson hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning.
- Lacie Bullard picked up the win in the circle, pitching five innings with five strikeouts. Emily Otto pitched the final two innings and had two strikeouts.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Lions went three-up three-down to start the contest. The Mustangs got two runners on in the bottom of the first but Bullard fought through, striking out the final batter to end the inning and keep the game scoreless.
The Lions busted the game open in the second inning. Jameyson led off with a single. Jodie Hill and Kilcrease walked to load the bases. Monica Cherry also drew a walk to bring in the first run of the game. Ciera Nunez also walked to bring in a run and an infield single from Higgs brought in another. With the bases still loaded, Hebler launched a pitch over the right center fence to plate four more runs. The Lions led 7-0 after two complete.
The Lions added two runs in the third inning. Hill reached on a bunt hit and she was brought home on a homer from Kilcrease. The Mustangs went three-up and three-down in the bottom of the inning. The Lions held a 9-0 lead after three complete.
The Lions were retired in order in the fourth inning and the Mustangs scored two runs in the bottom of the inning. Four hits scored two runs and the Lions led 9-2 after four.
Neither team scored in the fifth inning. The Lions brought another run across in the sixth. Higgs singled and stole second base. A single from Hebler brought her across and the Lions took a 10-2 lead.
Otto came in in the bottom of the sixth. She had two strikeouts but also gave up a home run in the inning to bring the score to 10-3 after six complete.
The Lion offense again went off in the seventh inning, scoring eight runs. Kilcrease led off with a home run. Neal singled and the next two batters were hit by pitches to load the bases. Hebler hit an infield single to bring another run across. With the bases still loaded, Jameyson came to the plate and smashed a pitch over the center field fence. Thompson also hit a home run, this one a two-runner and the Lions led 18-3. The Lion defense closed out the game in the bottom of the seventh.