Snedeker homers as Jags sweep Doane

UHV head softball coach Lindsey Ortiz has told her team they're good enough to beat anybody.

Now, the Jaguars are believing her after sweeping Doane 2-1 and 8-0 on Thursday in a non-conference doubleheader. With the sweep, UHV extended its winning streak to six games.

"We're a strong team. I think we're a lot stronger than last year," said junior first baseman Allison Snedeker. "We have some good players in the lineup and we're hitting the ball well, seeing it well. And it's off any pitcher, doesn't matter if they're junk pitches or speed."

Snedeker drilled a three-run home run in the third inning of Game 2's 8-0 run-rule win. It was the Friendswood native's team-leading fifth home run of the season.

She went 4-for-6 in the doubleheader on a day when Jaguars (14-4) had six different players record a hit, including multi-hit performances from Claire Blinka, Madysin Leighton, Alana Ortega and Kenzie Chambers.

Blinka went 2-for-3 in Game 2 with a RBI hits in her first two at-bats in Game 2.

"Coming off last weekend, it was important for us to show up today," Ortiz said. "I think we eventually found a rhythm and started having better at-bats. I was proud of them for adjusting after a little bit of a slow start. They finished hard and, again, they find ways to win. That's exciting to watch."

Chambers went 3-for-3 at the plate in Game 2 against the Tigers (7-11). She had four steals – including three in Game 2 – to take the team lead from Leighton with 22. They have 42 stolen bags combined this season.

Leighton had the decisive RBI in Game 1 with a fourth inning single to plate Cameron Steen. Snedeker scored the first run of Game 1 on a wild pitch.

Eryn Sanchez had the walk-off RBI on a fielder's choice in Game 2.

"There's not a weak person in our lineup," Blinka said. "No matter how far we get into our lineup, you can always count on that person to get a hit and do a job. So we have confidence in everybody throughout the lineup."

Cameron Cowan earned her ninth win of the season after pitching a complete-game, two-hit gem in Game 1. The senior right-hander from Shiner struck out four batters in the 2-1 win.

Anyssia Mendoza won her third consecutive start in Game 2 and improved to 4-3 in the circle after throwing four innings of shutout softball. The reigning Red River Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week worked around a bases-loaded jam in the third inning.

Alexi Wade came on in the fifth inning to close out the game, allowing only one hit and recording an assist on the second out of the inning.

"I think, for Neech, our defense is kind of building off of her success at this point," Ortiz said. "They're excited to play behind her. So that's big time for her; we've been trying to find a rhythm in Game 2, and, as a group, they're doing what I'm asking them to do. So, I hope they 'll continue to work hard and continue to get better every series."

The Jaguars will now look to build on this momentum when they welcome Texas A&M-Texarkana on Friday (1 p.m.) and RV LSU Alexandria (12 p.m.) Saturday.

LSU Alexandria (14-6, 5-1) currently sits third in the RRAC, one game behind the Jaguars. The Eagles (9-9, 4-2) are in fourth, two games behind UHV. Texas A&M-San Antonio reached the RRAC Championship game last year and made its first-ever NAIA Tournament appearance.

"I think we have all the confidence in the world right now," Blinka said. "It doesn't matter who we're playing. In our minds, we can beat them and come out on top every time."