COMMERCE, Texas (Mar. 28) – TWU senior Kendra Sancet blasted two home runs to help the Pioneers to an 11-10 win in game two and a doubleheader split at Texas A&M-Commerce on Saturday afternoon.  The Pioneers dropped the first game 16-8 in six innings.  TWU is now 14-17-1 on the season and 6-5-1 in the Lone Star Conference.
 
In game one, the Pioneers had an 8-5 lead before A&M-Commerce scored 11 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to capture the win.  TWU scored a run in the top of the first inning to take an early 1-0 lead on a RBI single by sophomore Alyssa Galaz.  The Lions went on top 3-1 with a three-run second.  The Pioneers got one back in the third on a RBI double by Sancet.
 
A&M-Commerce pushed the lead back to two runs with a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth.  TWU responded with a two-out rally in the top of the fifth.  The Pioneers scored four runs to take a 6-4 lead after sending 10 batters to the plate.  The Lions made it 6-5 in the bottom of the fifth but Galaz blasted a two-run home run in the sixth to push the lead back to three runs.  After TWU got the first out in the bottom of the sixth, the Lions scored 11 runs on four singles, two doubles, six walks and an error to capture the run-rule win.
 
In the second game, the Pioneers jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning.  All three runs were unearned as the Lions committed two errors during the inning.  A&M-Commerce got one back in the second on a bases-loaded walk and then scored four in the third to take a 5-3 lead.  The Lions added another run in the bottom of the fourth on a solo home run to take a three-run lead.
 
TWU stormed back in the top of the fifth to tie the game at 6-6.  The Pioneers started the inning with four straight hits including a two-run home run by Sancet.  TWU carried the momentum into the sixth inning and scored five more runs to go back on top 11-5.  The Pioneers scored their five runs on one hit, a walk and three errors.  The one hit was a big one as Sancet blasted a grand slam to the right field.  The home runs are ninth and tenth of the season for Sancet.
 
The Lions did not go quietly as they scored four unearned runs with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to make 11-10.  TWU sophomore pitcher Tori Bice, who started in the circle and was relieved in the third inning, came back in and got the final out on a fly ball to third to pick up her second save of the season.
 
"We let one slip away in the first game but bounced back to capture a big win in game two," said TWU head coach Genny Stidham.  "We didn't let the game one loss bother us and we came back ready to play for the split.  Kendra had a great day at the plate and both of her home runs were huge."
 
Sancet finished the day 5-for-6 with seven RBI, five runs, two home runs and two doubles.  Junior Laura Mabary and sophomore Nicole Nordie both went 4-for-8 for TWU and combined for seven runs.
 
The Pioneers will return to action when they host a four-game series against #25 Cameron on April 2-3.  TWU and CU will open the series with a doubleheader on Thursday, Apr. 2, beginning at 5:00 p.m.