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TAMUC – Sports

 

No. 5 Lions split against A&M-International, take game two 6-2.

COMMERCE– The No. 5 Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team split its doubleheader against Texas A&M International on Wednesday afternoon. The Lions lost the first game 7-5 before bouncing back with a 6-2 win in the second game.

The results bring the Lions to 13-2 on the season. A&M-International goes to 6-9 on the year.

The Lions return to action on Friday as they play a three-game series against UT Permian Basin. The teams will meet in a doubleheader on Friday starting at 4:00 p.m. The teams will then play a single game on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. The games will be played at the UTPB Softball Field in Odessa.

HEAD COACH RICHIE BRUISTER AFTER THE GAME

On responding after a game one loss to win game two: “We had a game plan coming in offensively, and we didn’t execute from the pregame. I was a little disappointed. We made adjustments in the second game, stuck to the game plan and saw good things happen.”

On getting good play from some new additions to the lineup: “That’s what we preach to our kids. We have a lot of depth, and they have to be ready when the time comes. Those kids were ready to come in today. You saw a different team when they were out there. They were positive and upbeat and having a good time. We got the win with them.”

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE (Game 1)

– Chealsea Slider (Texarkana – Texas High) had two hits, drove in a run and also scored a run.
– Serina Aguilar (Houston – Spring Woods Senior) had double and drove in a run. Bri Sims (Rowlett) also had an RBI.
– Ta’Lyn Moody (Mansfield – Legacy) had two hits and scored a run. Jody Hill (Heavener, Okla.), Madison Schaefer (Frisco – Independence), Vanessa Avina (Haltom City) and Vanessa Muro (Oak Hills, Calif.) all scored a run.
– Emily Otto (Richmond – Lamar Consolidated) pitched a complete game, earning her first loss of the year.

HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 1)

The Dustdevils got the scoring started in the top of the first with a solo home run. The Lions answered back in the bottom of the second as Slider doubled and then a throwing error brought her home as the Lions tied the game at one through two complete innings.

Otto struck two in the third inning as both pitchers took care of business the next three innings. After five, the game was tied at one.

The Dustdevils retook the lead in the top of the sixth inning as a leadoff single put a runner on, and a double scored the runner. The Lions battled back to take the lead in the bottom of the inning. Hill singled and stole a base and Aguilar’s double brought her home. Another run came across on a single from Slider. The Lions took a 3-2 lead into the seventh.

The first two batters of the seventh were retired before the Dustdevils started a two-out rally. A single and a walk were followed by a base-clearing double. After a throwing error brought in another run, the bases were cleared with a home run. In all, five runs came across as TAMIU took a 7-3 lead.

The Lions fought back in the bottom of the inning. Schaefer doubled, and Moody singled to bring a run across. Three more walks drew another run cross. The Lions had bases loaded with no outs but could not bring in more runs, falling by two.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE (Game 2)

– Kayla Kilcrease (Kerens) hit a two-run homer and scored two runs.
– Jodie Hill also had two RBIs and scored once. Serina Aguilar and Vanessa Muro also had RBIs.
– Aguilar, Schaefer, and Moody all scored runs.
– Katie Dean (Whitesboro) pitched a complete game, striking out six without giving up an earned run.

HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 2)

Dean struck out the side to begin the game. She picked up another strikeout in the top of the second. The Lion’s bats failed early but caught fire in the third inning. Moody singled, and Kilcrease walked. Both stole to get in scoring position and scored on the double from Hill. Aguilar drove in another run on a triple and scored on the double from Muro. The Lions led 4-0 after three complete.

The Lions added two more runs in the fourth inning. Schaefer doubled to lead off and scored on a home run from Kilcrease. The Lions led 6-0 after four.

Dean would strike out two more in the game. TAMIU put together a late rally to bring in two runs, but Dean struck out the final batter of the game to seal the win.

 

 

Lion men open at fourth in South Central Region rankings.

INDIANAPOLIS – The Texas A&M University-Commerce men’s basketball team is ranked fourth in the first edition of the 2018-19 NCAA South Central Regional rankings. The South Central Region consists of the Lone Star, Heartland, and Rocky Mountain Athletic conferences. The rankings were released on Wednesday by the NCAA.

A&M-Commerce is one of three teams from the Lone Star Conference in the rankings. West Texas A&M is ranked second, followed by the Lions in fourth, and Angelo State in sixth. The tournament champions of the LSC, HC, and RMAC, as well as five at-large teams, will advance to the NCAA Division II Regional Tournament, hosted by the team that finishes the season in the No. 1 spot. The regional tournament is set to begin on March 15.

The Lions are currently 19-5 overall with a 17-5 Division II mark, and a Lone Star Conference record of 11-3. A&M-Commerce is 3-3 against teams ranked in the top 10 in the region.

The Lions face two key regional games this week, hosting Eastern New Mexico on Thursday and West Texas A&M on Saturday in the final two home games of the season. Tickets to the last home weekend purchased at WeAreLionsTix.com, by calling (903) 468-8756 or by visiting the Lion Sales & Service Box Office in the Field House.

NCAA DII South Central Region Rankings

as of February 20, 2019

Pl. School DII Record In-Region
1 St. Edward’s 19-2 18-2
2 West Texas A&M 23-3 20-3
3 Colorado School of Mines 20-3 20-3
4 A&M-COMMERCE 17-5 17-5
5 Angelo State 13-7 12-6
6 Dallas Baptist 15-7 15-5
7 Lubbock Christian 14-8 14-8
8 Dixie State 15-8 15-8
9 Colorado Mesa 14-8 14-8
10 Newman 14-7 14-7

 

 

Lions crack top five in national rankings, highest spot in program history.

LOUISVILLE, Ky.– The Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team is now the No. 5 ranked team in the country in this week’s National Fastpitch Coaches Association coaches’ poll. The rankings were released on Wednesday by the NFCA. The Lions were ranked No. 9 in the preseason poll. It is the 15th consecutive week the Lions are nationally ranked. It is the highest rankings the Lions have ever had from these coaches.

The Lions were coming off of five wins last week. They swept a doubleheader against then nationally-ranked Arkansas Tech, giving up just two runs while scoring 13. The Lions then entered LSC play and swept MSU Texas. The Lion bats were again hot, and the pitching staff was even hotter, holding the Mustangs without a run scored in all three games. The final game was a no-hitter. The Lions for the week outscored opponents 38-2.

The Lions are now 12-1 on the season, winning their last seven in a row. They are one of three teams from the LSC in the top 10. Angelo State came in with the No. 1 ranking. Tarleton State is now ranked No. 8. The Lions will meet both of those teams on the road later this season.

The Lions return to action today as they host Texas A&M-International in a doubleheader. The first game is 2:00 p.m. at the John Cain Family Softball Field. Tickets are available at WeAreLionsTix.com, by calling (903) 468-8756, by visiting the Lion Sales & Service Box Office in the Field House or by purchase at the gate of the John Cain Family Softball Field.

2019 NFCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll – Feb. 20 (Week 1)

Rank School (First Place) Points 2019 Record Previous Week
1 Angelo State (8) 381 13-1 6
2 Saint Anselm (4) 374 5-0 4
3 North Georgia (3) 356 12-3 3
4 Southern Arkansas (1) 348 9-3 2
5 Texas A&M-Commerce 336 12-1 9
6 Chico State 321 6-1 7
7 Valdosta State 303 10-2 22
8 Tarleton State 283 11-2 14
9 Concordia Irvine 279 4-1 10
10 West Florida 244 13-1 NR
11 Carson-Newman 230 9-0 NR
12 Illinois-Springfield 222 6-2 12
13 Dixie State 191 6-1 17
14 Florida Tech 183 10-2 NR
15 Winona State 176 0-0 15
16 Grand Valley State 160 0-0 16
17 UC San Diego 147 9-2 23
18 Young Harris 144 7-3 13
19 Central Oklahoma 128 13-1 NR
20 UAH 80 10-5 11
21 Cal State San Bernardino 72 7-0 NR
22 Colorado Mesa 56 7-3 21
23 Southern New Hampshire 50 5-1 RV
24 Gannon 32 0-0 24
25 Augustana 31 5-3 25

 

 

Emily Otto is named Fastpitch News National Pitcher of the Week.

CULVER CITY, Calif.– Texas A&M University-Commerce softball player Emily Otto has been named Fastpitch News National Pitcher of the Week. FPN, Tuesday, announced the award. It is the first National Player of the Week for Otto in her career. She is the third player in program history to earn National Player of the Week honors, and the first pitcher ever to win the award.

Otto­– a sophomore from Richmond (Lamar Consolidated)– was sensational once again for the Lions, pitching three complete games last week, including a no-hitter and two shutout outings against MSU Texas. Otto gave up just one earned run and struck out 18 batters, giving up only five hits for the week in 19.0 innings.

Otto pitched a complete seven innings against No. 20 Arkansas Tech on Wednesday, holding ATU to just two hits while recording six strikeouts and no walks. Otto followed that with a seven-inning shutout against MSU on Friday, striking out five. Otto saved the best for last, pitching a seven-strikeout five-inning no-hitter on Saturday to help the Lions complete the sweep of MSU. Otto for the week held hitters to a meager .079 average as she had an ERA of 0.37 over 19.0 innings and had a six-to-one strikeout to walk ratio. She currently leads the LSC in lowest ERA, lowest opponent batting average, most wins, most complete games, most shutouts and fewest runs allowed.

Otto and the No. 9 Lions return to action today as they host Texas A&M-International in a doubleheader. The first game is 2:00 p.m. at the John Cain Family Softball Field. Tickets are available at WeAreLionsTix.com, by calling (903) 468-8756, by visiting the Lion Sales & Service Box Office in the Field House or by purchase at the gate of the John Cain Family Softball Field.

2019 FASTPITCH NEWS DIVISION II NATIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Hitter of the Week
Feb. 19: Lakyn Wagoner, Illinois Springfield

Pitcher of the Week
Feb. 19: Emily Otto, Texas A&M-Commerce

Emily Otto named NFCA National Pitcher of the Week.·

LOUISVILLE, Ky.– Texas A&M University-Commerce softball player Emily Otto has been named the National Fastpitch Coaches Association National Pitcher of the Week. The NFCA announced the award on Wednesday. It is the second National Player of the Week for Otto in her career, after being named Fastpitch News National Pitcher of the Week yesterday. She is the third player in program history to earn National Player of the Week honors, and the first pitcher ever to win the award.

Otto­– a sophomore from Richmond (Lamar Consolidated)– was sensational once again for the Lions, pitching three complete games last week, including a no-hitter and two shutout outings against MSU Texas. Otto gave up just one earned run and struck out 18 batters, giving up only five hits for the week in 19.0 innings.

Otto pitched a complete seven innings against No. 20 Arkansas Tech on Wednesday, holding ATU to just two hits while recording six strikeouts and no walks. Otto followed that with a seven-inning shutout against MSU on Friday, striking out five. Otto saved the best for last, pitching a seven-strikeout five-inning no-hitter on Saturday to help the Lions complete the sweep of MSU. Otto for the week held hitters to a meager .079 average as she had an ERA of 0.37 over 19.0 innings and had a six-to-one strikeout to walk ratio. She currently leads the LSC in lowest ERA, lowest opponent batting average, most wins, most complete games, most shutouts and fewest runs allowed.

Otto and the No. 5 Lions return to action on Friday as they face UT Permian Basin on the road to continue conference play. The teams will play in a doubleheader on Friday starting at 4:00 p.m. before a single game on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. The Lions will then return home to face St. Edward’s on Wednesday in a doubleheader starting at 3:00 p.m. Tickets to all Lion Softball home games are available at WeAreLionsTix.com, by calling (903) 468-8756, by visiting the Lion Sales & Service Box Office in the Field House or by purchase at the gate of the John Cain Family Softball Field.

2019 NFCA DIVISION II NATIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Hitter of the Week
Feb. 6: Kaylie Upton, Oklahoma Christian
Feb. 13: Angelique Elemen, Fort Lewis
Feb. 20: Courtney Barnhill, Angelo State

Pitcher of the Week
Feb. 6: Victoria Taylor, Southern Arkansas
Feb. 13: Caylie Van Auken, Valdosta State
Feb. 20: Emily Otto, Texas A&M-Commerce

 

 

Emily Otto repeats as LSC Pitcher of the Week.·

COMMERCE– Texas A&M University-Commerce softball player Emily Otto has been named the Lone Star Conference Pitcher of the Week. The conference office announced the award on Tuesday. It is the second consecutive week Otto has won the award, and the third time in her career.

Otto­– a sophomore from Richmond (Lamar Consolidated)– was sensational once again for the Lions, pitching three complete games, including a no-hitter and two shutout outings against MSU Texas. Otto gave up just one earned run and struck out 18 batters, giving up only five hits for the week in 19.0 innings.

Otto pitched a complete seven innings against No. 20 Arkansas Tech on Wednesday, holding ATU to just two hits while recording six strikeouts and no walks. Otto followed that with a seven-inning shutout against MSU on Friday, striking out five. Otto saved the best for last, pitching a seven-strikeout five-inning no-hitter on Saturday to help the Lions complete the sweep of MSU. Otto for the week held hitters to a meager .079 average as she had an ERA of 0.37 over 19.0 innings and had a six-to-one strikeout to walk ratio. She currently leads the LSC in lowest ERA, lowest opponent batting average, most wins, most complete games, most shutouts and fewest runs allowed.

Otto and the No. 9 Lions return to action on Wednesday as they host Texas A&M-International in a doubleheader. The first game is 2:00 p.m. at the John Cain Family Softball Field. Tickets are available at WeAreLionsTix.com, by calling (903) 468-8756, by visiting the Lion Sales & Service Box Office in the Field House or by purchase at the gate of the John Cain Family Softball Field.

2019 LONE STAR CONFERENCE SOFTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Hitter of the Week
Feb. 5: Bri Sims, Texas A&M-Commerce
Feb. 13: Mykayla Stroud, Angelo State
Feb. 19: Mykayla Stroud, Angelo State

Pitcher of the Week
Feb. 5: Saidi Castillo, Texas A&M-Kingsville
Feb. 13: Emily Otto, Texas A&M-Commerce
Feb. 19: Emily Otto, Texas A&M-Commerce

 

Josh Manck
Associate Athletics Director for Marketing and Communications | Texas A&M University-Commerce
Committed to a “Best In Class” student-athlete experience.
Office: 903.886.5131 | Mobile: 817.487.5136 |
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3011 | Commerce, TX 75429
Physical Address: 2600 Neal Street | Commerce, TX 75429
Connect with us on our Lions’ Den Social Stream.

 

Marcus Jensen
Director of Athletic Communications | Texas A&M University-Commerce
Office: 903.468.3027 | Mobile: 801.624.8529
Follow us: @Lion_Athletics | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | LionAthletics.com
Committed to a “Best in Class” student-athlete experience.