(RV) Softball set to host (RV) Missouri Baptist

UHV softball head coach Lindsey Ortiz's goal over the course of a season is for her team to improve from series to series.

After a competitive doubleheader split with No. 24-ranked Baker (won 4-2, lost 3-2) on Saturday, Ortiz sees an upward trend for the Jaguars after the first two weeks of the season. UHV limited the Wildcats to just three earned runs over the two games while putting up 27 runs in four total games last week.

"I think the conversation right now is just to continue to get better every series we play," Ortiz said. "I told them I think they look like a different squad than what we put on the field the first weekend, in a great way. So, that's a confidence booster for them to be competing on a national stage. They see their potential and, if they can continue to build on what they're putting on the field, there's great things in front of them."

Now the Jaguars will face another tough national test against Missouri Baptist, which, like UHV, is receiving votes in the NAIA Coaches' poll. The doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Youth Sports Complex.

The Spartans (4-1) enter the midweek twinbill coming off a split against No. 8 Oklahoma City (won 9-5) and No. 2 Science and Arts Oklahoma (lost 2-0). Last season, they reached the NAIA Opening Round Lawrenceville, GA., bracket after winning 33 games. This is the first-ever meeting between the two teams.

"They're going to be another great team," Ortiz said. "This is another opportunity for us to prepare for this level of play in the postseason. We just want to stay focused on what we're doing and get better every time we go out. We've got a couple of things to improve on from our last games and I'd like to see us try to make those adjustments. We need to go out and continue to get better."

Saturday was a record-breaking day for senior utility player Kenzie Chambers.

The Grand Prairie native stole five bases last week, including one in each game against Baker. Her first steal on Saturday set a new program record for stolen bases in a career, eclipsing Madysin Leighton's previous mark of 90 set last season.

That has been a trend for UHV's leadoff hitter, who has reached base safely in the Jaguars' last 13 games. She leads the team in hits with 12.

"She's a table setter," Ortiz praised. "When she gets on base, we feel 100% confident that we're going to be able to get her across. She's not just fast; she's a great base runner, she's smart, has a high softball IQ. She's a one-of-a-kind player. I'm really proud of the effort she puts in every day to be the best version of herself and she's dynamite."

And it's been fairly easy for UHV to plate Chambers, who's scored nine runs this season, when she gets on. NFCA All-American Claire Blinka and NFCA All-Region selection Kaylle Lopez have combined for 11 RBIs this season, mostly thanks to Chambers' efforts at the top of the lineup.

But it's been senior Jordan Jones benefitting the most from Chambers' production.

The Woodlands native enters Tuesday with a .407 average, a share of the team-lead in runs scored with nine and a team-leading eight RBIs as UHV's two-hole hitter.

Jones has relished her opportunity as an everyday starter this season after making 25 appearances last season primarily as a pinch runner.

"I'm enjoying watching Jo flourish," Ortiz said. "I know last year was challenging for her in a lot of ways. For her to come back, stay committed to the process and grab that opportunity says a lot. As a two-hole, we're not necessarily looking to get RBIs from her, but Kenzie's getting on base and Jo's taking care of it herself. She's not leaving it to the rest of the lineup; she's giving them a chance to push her across. So I'm super excited for her and she's playing great defensively, too. She's doing everything we ask and more."

Graduate senior Hope Quinones picked up her third win of the season after holding Baker without an earned run Saturday.

She and Audrie Sayas have stepped up to be UHV's top two pitchers with Sayas boasting a team-leading 2.07 ERA in 20.1 innings and five appearances.

"One of the first things that was said after the game was that Hope's presence on the mound kept the rest of the team calm," Ortiz said. "They recognized that in her. She was so poised and confident in the circle that they felt calm even when the bases were loaded with no outs in that first inning. Hope kept a demeanor like she was in control and I think her defense fed off of that.

"I'm excited to see those two (Audrie and Hope) continue to battle. And the rest of the staff is hungry to work, too. That pitching staff is a great group."