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{{Infobox college softball team
|CurrentSeason = 2024 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions softball team
|name = East Texas A&M Lions<br> softball
|logo =
|logo_size = 250
|university = East Texas A&M University
|conference = Southland Conference
|conference_short = Southland
|founded = 2015
|division =
|city = Commerce
|stateabb = TX
|state = Texas
|coach = [[Brittany Miller (softball)|Brittany Miller]]
|tenure = 2nd
|stadium = [[John Cain Family Softball Complex]]
|capacity = 800
|nickname = [[East Texas A&M Lions|Lions]]
|NCAAchampion =
|NCAArunnerup =
|NCAAcollegecup =
|NCAAeliteeight =
|ncaa_tourneys = 2016*, 2018*, 2019*, 2021*, 2022*
|conference_tournament = 2022**''at Division II level''
|conference_season =
}}
: ''For information on all East Texas A&M sports, see [[East Texas A&M Lions]]''
The '''East Texas A&M Lions softball''' team is the [[college softball|intercollegiate softball]] program representing [[East Texas A&M University]]. The school competes in the [[Southland Conference]] in [[NCAA Division I|Division I]] of the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] (NCAA). For their first eight years of existence, they competed  in the [[Lone Star Conference]] (LSC) in [[NCAA Division II|Division II]]. The East Texas A&M softball team plays its home games at [[John Cain Family Softball Complex]] on the university campus in [[Commerce, Texas]]. The team is currently coached by [[Brittany Miller (softball)|Brittany Miller]].
== History ==
[[File:Athletics-SFTB vs St Eds-5308 (16243223878).jpg|thumb|The 2015 A&M–Commerce Lions softball team in action against [[St. Edward's Hilltoppers|St. Edward's University]]]]
Softball has been a varsity sport at East Texas A&M since the 2015 season.<ref name="JCFSF" /> The program was first announced in May 2013, making it both the seventh women's sport to be offered by the university and making East Texas A&M (then known as A&M–Commerce) the last school in the LSC to sponsor softball.<ref name="announcement">{{Cite web|url = http://lionathletics.com/news/2013/5/20/5_20_2013_1336.aspx?path=softball|title = A&M-Commerce to add Softball; First Pitch Slated for Spring 2015 |date = May 20, 2013 |accessdate = November 26, 2015|website = LionAthletics.com|publisher = [[Texas A&M University–Commerce]]}}</ref> According to then-athletic director Ryan Ivey, the university's decision to add softball was due to its rising popularity and the growing talent pool of players in [[Northeast Texas]], as well as to help A&M–Commerce meet [[Title IX]] requirements.<ref name="Whitlock">{{Cite news|url = http://tamuceasttexan.com/1701/sports/lions-softball-ready-to-play-in-second-season/|title = Lion's Softball Ready to Play in Second Season|last = Whitlock|first = Bailey|date = December 4, 2015|work = The East Texan|access-date = January 5, 2016}}</ref>
From 2015 to 2021, the team was coached by Richie Bruister, previously the head softball coach at [[Henderson State Reddies|Henderson State University]] and [[Texas Woman's Pioneers|Texas Woman's University]].<ref name="Welch">{{Cite news|url = http://ketr.org/post/bruister-be-first-am-commerce-softball-coach|title = Bruister to be first A&M-Commerce softball coach|last = Welch|first = Cooper|date = July 17, 2013|access-date = January 5, 2016|publisher = [[KETR]]}}</ref><ref name="coaches" /> Bruister compiled a record of 183–97 ({{winpct|183|97}}), four LSC Championship appearances, and three [[NCAA Division II Softball Championship|NCAA tournament]] appearances in five years with TWU; he also won both the LSC and National Fastpitch Coaches Association Coach of the Year awards in 2013.<ref name="coaches" />
In its inaugural 2015 season, the Lions achieved an overall record of 29–24 ({{winpct|29|24}}),<ref name="2015 season" /> finishing sixth in the regular-season LSC standings<ref name="LSC">{{Cite web|url = http://lonestarconference.org/standings.aspx?standings=73|title = 2015 Softball Standings|accessdate = January 5, 2016|publisher = [[Lone Star Conference]]}}</ref> and reaching the quarterfinals of the conference tournament before being eliminated.<ref name="Tarleton" /> Other achievements during the program's first season included Tyler Oppenheim's recognition as an LSC Player of the Week and the team's average [[grade point average|GPA]] of 3.536, the highest in the conference.<ref name="Whitlock" /> Also in 2015, the A&M–Commerce softball team hosted the inaugural Lion Classic, a four-team tournament that included [[Northeastern State RiverHawks|Northeastern State University]], [[Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm|Southern Nazarene University]], and [[Tarleton State Texans and TexAnns|Tarleton State University]].<ref name="tournament">{{Cite news|url = http://ketr.org/post/softball-host-inaugural-lion-classic-tournament-friday-and-saturday|title = Softball to host inaugural Lion Classic Tournament Friday and Saturday|date = February 6, 2015|access-date = January 5, 2016|publisher = [[KETR]]}}</ref>
After seven seasons, Bruister left A&M-Commerce, having compiled an overall record of 231-114. His associate head coach, Gay McNutt, was subsequently promoted to interim head coach. In their final season in the Lone Star Conference before moving up to Division I, McNutt guided the Lions to their first and only Lone Star Conference Tournament victory<ref>{{Cite web|title=LSC Tourney Champs! Lions beat Javelinas, 9-2, for first LSC Tournament title|url=https://lionathletics.com/news/2022/5/8/softball-lsc-tourney-champs-lions-beat-javelinas-9-0-for-first-lsc-tournament-title.aspx|work=LionsAthletics.com|date=May 8, 2022|access-date=May 16, 2022}}</ref> before eventually falling in the Regional Tournament against the Texas A&M-Kingsville Javelinas.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lions' historic season comes to a close with a 1-0 loss to the Javelinas|url=https://lionathletics.com/news/2022/5/13/softball-lions-historic-season-comes-to-a-close-with-a-1-0-loss-to-the-javelinas.aspx|work=LionsAthletics.com|date=May 13, 2022|access-date=May 16, 2022}}</ref>
On August 3, 2022, Miller added three-time Olympic gold medalist [[Crystl Bustos]] to the coaching staff as an assistant coach.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Crystl Bustos hired as Texas A&M University-Commerce Assistant Softball coach|url=https://lionathletics.com/news/2022/8/3/crystl-bustos-hired-as-texas-am-university-commerce-assistant-softball-coach.aspx|work=LionAthletics.com|date=August 3, 2022|access-date=September 9, 2022}}</ref>
In the Lions' first Division I season, they endured their first overall losing season in program history, finishing 9-39 overall and 5-19 in conference play. This would be their first time having a losing season in conference play since their inaugural season in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2023 Softball Schedule|url=https://lionathletics.com/sports/softball/schedule/2023|work=LionAthletics.com|access-date=May 16, 2023}}</ref>
During Miller's second season, the Lions once again finished at the bottom of the Southland Conference standings, going 2-22 in conference play and 9-45 overall, marking the first time in program history to have consecutive losing seasons.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2024 Softball Schedule|url=https://lionathletics.com/sports/softball/schedule/2024|work=LionAthletics.com|access-date=May 8, 2024}}</ref>
=== All-time record ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
! Year
! Head Coach
! Overall
! Pct.
! Conf.
! Pct.
! Place
! Tourn.
! Postseason
|-
! 2015
| rowspan="7" | Richie Bruister
| 29–24
| {{winpct|29|24}}
| 12–14
| {{winpct|12|14}}
| 6th
| First Round
| –
|-
! 2016
| 37–19
| {{winpct|37|19}}
| 18–14
| {{winpct|18|14}}
| 3rd
| First Round
| Regional Tournament
|-
! 2017
| 34–20
| {{winpct|34|20}}
| 16–14
| {{winpct|16|14}}
| 6th
| First Round
| –
|-
! 2018
| 42–12
| {{winpct|42|12}}
| 23–7
| {{winpct|23|7}}
| 4th
| Semifinals
| Regional Champions
|-
! 2019
| 40–14
| {{winpct|40|14}}
| 23–7
| {{winpct|23|7}}
| 2nd
| Semifinals
| Regional Runner-Up
|-
! 2020
| 16–7
| {{winpct|16|7}}
| 5–3
| {{winpct|5|3}}
| T4th
| –
| –
|-
! 2021
| 33–18
| {{winpct|33|18}}
| 21–9
| {{winpct|21|9}}
| 4th
| First Round
| Regional Runner-Up
|-
! 2022
| rowspan="1" | Gay McNutt
|  43–15
| {{winpct|43|15}}
| 22–8
| {{winpct|22|8}}
| T4th
| '''Champions'''
| Regional Tournament
|-
! [[2023 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions softball team|2023]]
| rowspan="2" | Brittany Miller
| 9–39
| {{winpct|9|39}}
| 5–19
| {{winpct|5|9}}
| 9th
| —
| —
|-
! [[2024 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions softball team|2024]]
|  9–45
| {{winpct|9|45}}
|  2–22
| {{winpct|2|22}}
| 9th
| —
| —
|}
''Year-by-year results through the end of the 2024 season''<ref name="coaches">{{Cite web|url = http://lionathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=107|title = 2015 Softball Coaching Staff |accessdate = November 26, 2015|website = LionAthletics.com|publisher = [[Texas A&M University–Commerce]]}}</ref><ref name="2015 season">{{Cite web|url = http://lionathletics.com/cumestats.aspx?path=softball&year=2015|title = 2015 Softball Cumulative Statistics |accessdate = November 26, 2015|website = LionAthletics.com|publisher = [[Texas A&M University–Commerce]]}}</ref><ref name="Tarleton">{{Cite web|url = http://lionathletics.com/news/2015/5/1/SB_0501154640.aspx?path=softball|title = No. 3 seed Tarleton State Tops No. 6 seed A&M-Commerce in Walk-off Fashion |date = May 1, 2015 |accessdate = November 26, 2015|website = LionAthletics.com|publisher = [[Texas A&M University–Commerce]]}}</ref>
== Stadium ==
{{Infobox venue
| name                = John Cain Family Softball Complex
| nickname            =
| image               = West Texas A&M vs. Texas A&M–Commerce softball 2016 01.jpg
| image_size          = 300px
| fullname            =
| location            = On Hubbell Dr <br />[[Commerce, Texas]]
| coordinates         = {{coord|33|14|22.3|N|95|54|57.3|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| broke_ground        =
| built               = 2014–15
| opened              = February 1, 2015
| renovated           =
| expanded            =
| closed              =
| demolished          =
| owner               = [[Texas A&M University–Commerce]]
| operator            = [[Texas A&M University–Commerce]]
| surface             = Turf
| construction_cost   =
| architect           =
| structural engineer =
| services engineer   =
| general_contractor  =
| project_manager     =
| main_contractors    =
| seating_type        =
| former_names        =
| tenants             = Texas A&M–Commerce Lions softball ([[NCAA]]) (2015–Present)
| capacity            = 800 (not including berm seating)
| record_attendance   =
| dimensions          = '''Left Field: 190 ft'''<br />'''Center Field: 220 ft'''<br />'''Right Field: 190 ft'''
| scoreboard          = Electronic
}}
The Lions softball team has played at '''John Cain Family Softball Complex''' since its first game, on February 1, 2015, against [[St. Edward's Hilltoppers|St. Edward's University]]. The stadium seats 800 spectators in both [[general admission]] and [[reserved seating]], not including its extra capacity for [[standing-room only|standing-room-only]] spectators and those watching the game from the center-field picnic berm. The outfield fence is {{Convert|190|ft|m}} from home plate along each foul line and {{Convert|220|ft|m}} from the plate at center field. The playing surface is [[artificial turf]], featuring an atypically blue-colored infield and a large A&M–Commerce lion logo in center field. John Cain Family Softball Field also features home and visitor in-ground [[dugout (baseball)|dugouts]], [[bullpen]]s for both teams, and three [[batting cage]]s.<ref name="JCFSF">{{Cite web|url = http://lionathletics.com/sports/2015/4/3/SB_0403155012.aspx?path=softball|title = John Cain Family Softball Field|accessdate = November 26, 2015|website = LionAthletics.com|publisher = [[Texas A&M University–Commerce]]}}</ref> As of October 2015, the softball program is raising funds to add an indoor batting facility on the grounds of the stadium.<ref name="fundraiser">{{Cite web|url = http://lionathletics.com/news/2015/9/17/SB_0917150656.aspx?path=softball|title = Lion Softball Moves HR Derby Fundraiser to Oct. 30|date = October 20, 2015|accessdate = December 2, 2015|website = LionAthletics.com|publisher = [[Texas A&M University–Commerce]]}}</ref>
2019 and 2021 NCAA Division II South Central Regional tournament games were held at the stadium.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Wayne Cavadi |title=2019 DII softball tournament: Brackets, schedules, scores |url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/softball/article/2019-05-10/2019-dii-softball-tournament-brackets-schedules-scores |publisher=NCAA.org |access-date=December 24, 2022 |date=May 21, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Field set for 2021 DII Softball Championship |url=https://nfca.org/divnews/ncaa2/ncaa-dii-softball-championship-field-announced |publisher=National Fastpitch Coaches Association |access-date=December 24, 2022 |date=May 17, 2021}}</ref>
{{clear right}}
== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}
==External links==
{{Commons category-inline|Texas A&M–Commerce Lions softball}}
* {{Official website|1=http://lionathletics.com/index.aspx?path=softball}}
{{Texas A&M–Commerce Lions softball navbox}}
{{Texas A&M University–Commerce}}
{{Southland Conference softball navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:East Texas A&M Lions softball}}
[[Category:Texas A&M–Commerce Lions softball| ]]