A&M-Victoria softball splits doubleheader with Jarvis Christian

The Texas A&M University–Victoria softball team earned a split Friday afternoon at the Victoria Youth Sports Complex, opening the day with a decisive run-rule victory before dropping a competitive pitcher's duel in the nightcap against Jarvis Christian.

The Jaguars moved to 24–16 overall and 16–10 in conference play as they continue to position themselves for the postseason.

Game 1

A&M–Victoria set the tone early in the opener, erupting for seven runs in the first inning on the way to a 9–1, five-inning win.

The Jaguars sent 12 batters to the plate in the opening frame and quickly built a commanding lead. Angelina Morales started the scoring with an RBI double, and Daizie Fuentez followed with a two-run single down the left-field line. A&M–Victoria added runs via bases-loaded walks from Sianna Miller and Alyssa Carter, a hit-by-pitch to Madison Carr and a wild pitch, putting the game firmly in hand before Jarvis Christian recorded its third out.

The offense continued to apply pressure throughout the contest. Fayth Hoover drove in the Jaguars' eighth run in the second inning, while the Jaguars capped the scoring in the fifth when Evelyn Tovar doubled and later scored on Miller's RBI single to seal the run-rule win.

Miller and Fuentez each finished with two RBIs, while Morales, Miller, Kitty Coe, Kailea Freeman and Tovar all recorded extra-base hits. Five different Jaguars crossed the plate as A&M–Victoria totaled eight hits and drew five walks.

In the circle, Zoe Hardy delivered a strong performance to secure the win. The right-hander allowed just one run on three hits while striking out a career-high-tying eight batters over five innings. Hardy retired 12 of the final 13 hitters she faced to close out the run-rule victory.

Game 2

The Jaguars were unable to complete the sweep in the second game, falling 4–1 in a tightly contested matchup.

Haley Noska kept A&M–Victoria within striking distance throughout, working seven innings and striking out nine -- setting a new career high. The junior allowed four runs, only two of which were earned, while scattering nine hits.

The Bulldogs broke through first in the fifth inning, taking advantage of defensive miscues before scoring two runs. Jarvis Christian added two more runs in the seventh to extend the margin.

A&M–Victoria continued to battle at the plate and Deeandra Maldonado delivered an RBI single down the left-field line to score Alyssa Carter. That eventually led to the Jaguars bringing the winning run to the plate with the bases loaded, but A&M-Victoria was unable to claw away at the deficit any further.

Maldonado led the Jaguars offensively with a two-hit performance and the team's lone RBI, while Angelina Morales also reached base twice with a hit and a walk.

Next up

The Jaguars look to close out the regular season with a win in Saturday's series finale at 12 p.m.