Jags return to conference play with road trip to Xavier (La.) and Louisiana Christian
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
2 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 11 | 0 |
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Game 2
Game 2
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
6 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 16 | 9 | 1 |
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 0 |
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
Game 2
Game 2
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 11 | 1 |
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
The UHV softball team is ready to get back to Red River Athletic Conference play.
The Jaguars (8-4, 2-0) are coming off a 1-3 weekend at the Gulf Coast Invitational in Gulf Shores, Ala., in which their three losses came by three runs or fewer against No. 4 Central Methodist, No. 25 Reinhardt and RV Freed-Hardeman.
UHV will now turn its attention to Xavier (La.) on Saturday and Louisiana Christian on Sunday. Both doubleheaders will start at 1 p.m. after being pushed back a day due to forecasted rain.
While head coach Lindsey Ortiz admits she hates losing, the 11th-year head coach notes the lessons her team learned in Alabama will only help them as they get back to conference play.
"I want to win every game we play, but I think we did take a lot away from those games," Ortiz said. "Truthfully, we were right there with Central Methodist, who's now No. 4. So that's a reflection of the talent we have. I think we saw that it comes down to the tiniest bit of execution in those big games. So, we've got to focus on the details and the finesse work as we move into this part of the schedule, and clean up some of the things I don't like."
The Jaguars have made plenty of noise this season, especially at the plate.
As a team, UHV ranks 15th nationally in batting average with a .315 clip in their 12 games to start the year.
Junior Kenzie Chambers ranked second in the RRAC in average at .528. Senior Kaylle Lopez is tied for third with a .514 average. Lopez is second in RBIs with 23 while Claire Blinka is fifth with 15.
Madysin Leighton has been one of the best on the basepaths this season stealing 14 bases, a mark which ranks second in the conference. During an 11-1 win over Lindsey Wilson, Leighton stole twice to set the new all-time record at UHV after Gabby Davila set the previous record of 60 between the 2016 and 2019 seasons. Chambers ranks fifth in the conference with 10 stolen bases so far this year.
"It backs up what I'm saying to them. It legitimizes what I'm saying," Ortiz said. "It gives them something to see I'm not just blowing smoke. They do have the potential to meet some of the loftier goals we've set for them. I want them to be in a place where they expect to win every game because they're capable of it. I want them to be where they want to execute down to the tiniest detail because they know the difference it can make on the season overall. It can come down to two, three or four small plays that make the difference."
The Jaguars will put their team ERA of 2.66 (2nd in RRAC) to the test when they travel to face the Gold Nuggets and Wildcats.
Xavier (.302) and Louisiana Christian (.291) rank fourth and fifth in the RRAC in team batting average.
UHV's ace Cameron Cowan ranks third in the conference in ERA with a 1.19 and third in wins with six in eight appearance.
"I really want us to set the tone for the weekend," Ortiz said. "I want us to play our caliber of softball, no matter what our opponents are doing. I want us to jump out of the gate quick on offense since we're the visitor and batting first both days. I want us to score early. I want us to score often. I want our pitching and defense to be effective enough for us to get four wins."