Softball set for test at Gulf Coast Invitational

To be the best, you have to beat the best.

That's why the UHV softball team is gearing up for a trip to the Gulf Coast Invitational hosted by the University of Mobile at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex this week where three of the Jaguars' five games will come against ranked opponents.

The Jaguars (7-1) will kick off the three-day tournament Friday at 9 a.m. against Lindsey Wilson (3-3) before facing Williams Baptist (10-2) at 11:15 a.m. UHV will then face No. 9-ranked Central Methodist (9-2) at 3:45 p.m. Saturday and No. 20 Freed-Hardeman (6-5) at 6 p.m. the same day. The tournament concludes Sunday at 9 a.m. when the Jaguars square off with No. 21 Reinhardt (7-3).

UHV is coming off a doubleheader sweep of the University of the Southwest last Friday to open up Red River Athletic Conference play. During the two games, the Jaguars outscored the Mustangs 12-1.

"That's the big motivation behind participating in a tournament like this," said head coach Lindsey Ortiz. "It's the closest feeling we're going to have to postseason until the conference tournament. Taking this confidence into these games gives us another opportunity to benchmark where we're at right now in the season."

The Jaguars are enjoying the team's best start since 2012, when the team opened the year 12-1 before posting a program-record 40 wins and advancing to the A.i.i Conference Semifinals.

Part of their early success has been the offense.

UHV currently ranks fourth in the NAIA in batting average at .385.

Kenzie Chambers and Kaylle Lopez lead the Jaguars' starters with .538 averages, marks that rank third in the conference. Claire Blinka has opened the season hot, hitting at a .500 clip and extending her hitting streak, which dates back to the 2023 RRAC Tournament, to 10 games with hits in each of the first eight games for the Jaguars.

Against Southwest, the bottom third of the order in Sarah Cortez, Eryn Sanchez, Jayce Bolin and Brianna Strother hit .307. Bolin delivered the walk-off single in a 2-1 win in Game 1 as well as an RBI double in a 10-0 run-rule win in Game 2.

"I think the team's received the message well," Ortiz said. "Some of these games might be pitcher's duels. So, we can't get frustrated when a pitcher is doing her job against us. We just have to have a plan, a base-to-base mentality to make things happen for us. I think they've shown they can do that and I expect them to be able to build on that mentality going into this weekend."

Pitching has also lifted the Jaguars a number of times this season.

Senior right-hander Cameron Cowan ranks 16th in the country in wins after improving to 5-0 in the circle this year in the Game 1 win over Southwest.

The Shiner native and Anyssia Mendoza rank third and second, respectively, in ERA in the RRAC. Mendoza holds a 0.93 ERA in four appearances while Cowan's mark is at 1.33. The staff ERA of 2.15 ranks second in the RRAC.

Mendoza, a sophomore, earned her first win of the year in Game 2 against the Mustangs last Friday. The right-hander from Mathis surrendered only two hits and struck out four over five innings.

"I spoke to (Mendoza) Tuesday and I think she is super excited and ready to raise her own expectations," Ortiz said. "But honestly, as much as those two have found their presence, I want to continue to utilize our whole staff. With all the information out there, it's getting easier for teams to prepare for particular pitchers. So, the more we can get our entire staff in and use them in different situations, the harder it will be to prepare for us."