Lions lose to Lamar in pitcher's duel, 5-0

COMMERCE — An early pitcher's duel turned into a 5-0 win for the Lamar Cardinals over the Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team on Saturday at John Cain Family Field to close out the series.

The game was scoreless until the top of the sixth. The Lions had a run scored momentarily in the bottom of the third, but Lamar challenged the play, and the call was overturned, with the Lion runner leaving early.

In the top of the sixth, Kalyn Xayaseng drew a four-pitch walk to lead off the inning. After a fly out and a strikeout, Xayaseng scored on an RBI double to left center by Trinity Brandon, who advanced to third on a throwing error, and she scored on a wild pitch.

Veronica Harrison reached base safely with a walk to start the seventh and was pinch run for by Audrey Brown. Roxy Thompson reached on a throwing error by the Lions, while Brown advanced to third.

Thompson stole second and Kalie Amos drove in Brown with a single to short. Brown was originally called out, but Lamar challenged for obstruction and the call was overturned. Xayaseng was hit by a pitch, while Shenita Tucker reached on a fielding error by the Lions, with Thompson scoring. Rose Gonzales came in as a pinch hitter and brought home Amos with a sacrifice fly to right.

The Lions had two hits in the game, leaving three runners on base. Tehya Pitts and Ashlynn Griffith had a hit each. Lamar had just three hits in the game, one each from Brandon, Amos, and Xayaseng.

Emma Wardlaw got the win for the Cardinals, tossing 5.1 innings and struck out five. Karyana Mitchell pitched the final 1.2 innings of the game and got the save.

For the Lions, Destiny Martinez got the loss, pitching 6.1 innings. She allowed two earned runs, three hits, three walks, and struck out four.

The Lions drop to 5-29 on the season and 0-9 in Southland Conference play, while Lamar is 21-10 and 8-1 in conference play.

The Lions host Arkansas-Pine Bluff for two games next week. First game is set for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, which is part of the Be The Match Drive for A&M-Commerce, while the second game is at 1 p.m. on Wednesday. Tickets can be purchased at LionAthletics. com/Tickets.