Jags take No. 9 Central Methodist to the wire at Gulf Coast Invitational

GULF SHORES, Ala. – The UHV softball team's opening two games at the Gulf Coast Invitational came down to the final out.

The Jaguars fell 2-1 to No. 9-ranked Central Methodist and 10-7 to No. 20 Freed-Hardeman on Saturday at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex. The first day of the tournament was rained out on Friday.

Trailing 2-0 to the Eagles in the first game, Claire Blinka delivered and RBI double in the top of the seventh inning before Allison Snedeker singled to represent the go-ahead run for the Jaguars (7-3).

UHV was down 10-4 entering the bottom of the seventh against the Lions. Blinka, Snedeker and Sarah Cortez each delivered one-out RBIs to bring the tying run to the plate.

Blinka, of Port Lavaca, went 3-for-5 in the two games to extend her hitting streak to 12 games, including the first 10 of this season for the Jaguars.

Madysin Leighton had two steals against Freed-Hardeman, tying the career record of 60 set by Gabby Davila (2016-19).

Leighton and Kenzie Chambers had a pair of hits to go with Blinka's multi-hit performance against the Lions. Kaylle Lopez had two RBIs to help give UHV a chance in the second game of the day.

Cameron Cowan suffered her first loss of the season despite allowing two runs – one earned – on five hits in the Game 1 against CMU. Anyssia Mendoza (1-2) was the pitcher of record for the Jaguars against Freed-Hardeman.