Leighton sets steals record, Jags split at Gulf Coast Invitational

GULF SHORES, Ala. – The UHV softball team closed out the Gulf Coast Invitational with a split of its two games on Sunday.

The Jaguars bounced back with an 11-1 win over Lindsey Wilson College in the first game before falling 4-2 to No. 21 Reinhardt University in the final game of the tournament.

During the 11-1 rout of the Blue Raiders, senior outfielder Madysin Leighton stole two bases to up her career total to 62 and break Gabby Davila's record set from 2016-19.

The senior from Richmond, Texas, went 2-for-4 with an RBI and three runs scored. Kenzie Chambers, Kaylle Lopez and Jayce Bolin each had three hits for UHV (8-4).

Lopez set a new career-high in RBIs with five against the Blue Raiders. The Sinton product delivered the final shot for the Jaguars with a two-run single in the top of the seventh inning to cap a four-run inning.

Cameron Cowan earned her sixth win of the year after throwing seven innings with one run on five hits against a season-high seven strikeouts.

Lopez and Claire Blinka delivered RBIs for UHV in the loss to Reinhardt. Alana Ortega went 2-for-3 to lead the Jaguars.

Blinka went 1-for-3 against Reinhardt and has now hit safely in 13 of the last 14 games for UHV dating back to last season. Lopez finished the tournament 5-for-11 with eight RBIs to up her team-leading mark to 23.

Anyssia Mendoza was the pitcher of record for the Jaguars against Reinhardt.

UHV returns to conference play with a road trip Friday and Saturday to Xavier (La.) and Louisiana Christian.