Jags walk-off Louisiana Christian, fall to TAMUT to close RRAC tournament

ALEXANDRIA, La. – A marathon day at the Red River Athletic Conference tournament started off on a high for the (RV) UHV softball team before ending in elimination.

After a five-hour delay and venue change on the second day of the tournament, the Jaguars walked off as 3-2 winners against co-host Louisiana Christian. UHV then fell 10-2 in six innings against Texas A&M-Texarkana.

"I'm proud of the way we battled," said head coach Lindsey Ortiz. "I think that first game was a big testament to who we are. This (second) game obviously hurts, but kudos to (A&M-Texarkana) for playing their best ball at the right time. We have to do better than we did on a lot of fronts this game. But these kids fight no matter what and I'm proud of them and what they put on the field this tournament."

Shortstop Kaylle Lopez delivered the heroics against the Wildcats (29-21) with an RBI single with one out to win the game. She followed a single and a steal by Madysin Leighton, and a fielder's choice which allowed Kenzie Chambers to reach base safely. UHV's No. 1- and 2-hole hitters combined to go 4-for-7 at the plate with two steals each.

Lopez accounted for two of the three RBIs for the Jaguars (32-12) in the win and went 1-for-3. Her sacrifice fly in the fifth inning put UHV up 2-1 at the time.

Ortiz wasn't surprised the RRAC leader in RBIs came through with the most clutch hit of the season.

"That's been Kaylle," Ortiz said. "She's been consistent in that role for us. She's a big-time player and she makes big-time plays, and I was super proud of her in that moment like I always am."

Cameron Cowan notched her 15th win of the season after throwing a complete game in which she allowed two runs on seven hits.

A five-run fourth inning by the Eagles (25-21) wiped away the momentum the Jaguars built after rallying to plate two runs in the second inning and cut the deficit to 3-2 at the time.

A sacrifice fly by Jayce Bolin scored Allison Snedeker before Leighton delivered an RBI single to plate Eryn Sanchez during the second.

Leighton, a senior, led UHV in the second game with a two-hit performance.

Sanchez was charged with just her second loss of the season after allowing six runs – five earned – on 10 hits in 4.2 innings.

The Jaguars now await the NAIA Selection Show at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7, to determine their season's fate.

As a team, UHV ranks in the Top 25 nationally in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging and stolen bases.

"This team has a full body of work that's incredibly impressive," Ortiz said. "The last RPI had us at No. 12 in the nation. We have been consistent throughout the year. We have put together offensive numbers that are deserving of recognition. Behind Cowan, we're exceptionally hard to beat. This team has proven over and over again they can compete with national contenders. So I have all the confidence, going into an Opening Round, they would go do a job."