Jags set for Morningside (IA) tilt, 10th NAIA Tournament Appearance
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OKLAHOMA CITY – The theme this year for UHV softball has been improvement game-by-game with the goal of playing their best in May during the postseason.
After playing the 11th toughest schedule in the NAIA according to the NAIA RPI, the Jaguars (29-21) are ready to showcase that high level of play in their 10th NAIA Tournament appearance on Monday in the Oklahoma City Bracket of the 2025 NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round. The Jaguars are one of four Red River Athletic Conference teams to make the field of 48 teams (OLLU, LSU Alexandria, Texas A&M-Texarkana).
No. 4-seeded UHV opens the tournament at 1 p.m. Monday vs. No. 5-seeded Morningside (Iowa) at Oklahoma City University's Ann Lacy Stadium. The winner of Monday's contest advances to face No. 1-seeded Oklahoma City University at 7 p.m. the same day.
"Everything we do is to prep for the postseason and we play with the goal of qualifying," said head coach Lindsey Ortiz. "So, going out and playing the best the country has to offer is how we do that – whether that's some of the teams in our conference or travelling to make sure we're exposed to some of that. I think, even though we didn't always come out on the winning side of those tough games, it has shown us exactly where we need to be to be successful at this point in time. So, it was invaluable experience."
The Jaguars, making their second consecutive postseason trip to Oklahoma City, have a strong amount of postseason experience to lean on against the Mustangs (33-17).
Players like Claire Blinka, Kenzie Chambers and Jayce Bolin started in last year's Opening Round. UHV also played in a number of close games in the Red River Athletic Conference Tournament, going 2-2 and doing enough to cement an at-large bid to the national tournament.
"I think we saw a lot of great things at the conference tournament," Ortiz said. "We had a come-from-behind win, we had a win where we had to hold on tight at the end and we competed with Our Lady of the Lake. A couple of pitches go our way in that one and it's an entirely different score. Again, it wasn't ultimately the results we wanted, but it's all about the preparation and having that experience. I feel confident, no matter what we face while we're here, A. We will have already experienced it, and B. We will have the mental toughness and the grit to fight through it."
Ortiz feels the team's depth on the pitching staff is their biggest strength heading into the NAIA Tournament.
Both Hope Quinones and Audrie Sayas are north of the 10-win mark. Senior Alexi Wade hurled two shutout innings against OLLU in the RRAC Tournament, allowing just one hit. Jocelyne Galvan earned her seventh win of the season last week, as well.
"It's been such a growing process for them and they've really leaned into it and embraced the staff mentality," Ortiz said. "So, they're excited to put it on display. I think we are the most staff-based team here and I'm hopeful that will work out to our advantage."