(RV) Softball showcases versatility in sweep of TAMUSA

The UHV softball team picked up a pair of wins on Tuesday, but in two totally different ways.

The Jaguars won 1-0 and 8-3 against Red River Athletic Conference opponent Texas A&M-San Antonio at the Victoria Youth Sports Complex. UHV (11-7, 4-0) managed four hits in Game 1 while scattering 11 in Game 2.

It was a squeeze bunt by Kaylle Lopez that decided Game 1 before the Jaguars used a pair of four-run innings to complete the Tuesday sweep.

"I think they're really starting to find their footing and find their identity," said head coach Lindsey Ortiz. "I think the great thing about Game 1 is they always felt like they were in control. That's a big thing going through the conference season, having that presence and assumption that you're going to make it happen."

After being held without a hit in Game 1, Kenzie Chambers then broke Game 2 wide open in the third with a three-run, inside-the-park home run – the second home run of her career.

She and Jordan Jones combined for four of UHV's 11 hits in Game 2, allowing the Jaguars' potent offense to operate at full throttle. Chambers, the NAIA leader in stolen bases, swiped two bags in Game 2 while Jones and reigning RRAC Player of the Week Alyssa Carter each had a steal.

"That played a part in Game 1," Chambers said of the offensive struggles. "We knew it was going to be a little harder to push those runs across. Kaylle did a great job of playing the situation and squeezing our only run in that first game. So, baserunning played a huge role today."

Lopez set the pace for UHV's offense Tuesday, going 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored across the two games. She drove in Allison Snedeker to eventually win Game 1.

The senior from Sinton knew the team needed to do something to pick up starting pitcher Audrie Sayas, who notched her second consecutive complete-game shutout to improve to 4-4 in the circle.

"As an offense, we had to get something for (Audrie)," Lopez said. "My plan when I went to the plate was to put in the outfield or on the ground because Allison has speed to score. Then coach gave me the squeeze, so I was ready to go because I knew Allison could score on it."

Jasmine Canales and Alyssa Carter joined Chambers and Jones with multi-hit performances in Game 2. Carter also drove in a run.

With the shutout win, Sayas has now thrown 16.2 consecutive scoreless innings going back to last Monday's Game 1 vs. Ottawa (KS).

Hope Quinones tied the NAIA lead in wins by picking up her sixth win in Game 2, throwing four innings and allowing just one run on six hits.

"They did what they had to do," Ortiz said. "Audrie was super gutsy again. I'm super excited about both versions of the team that played today."

The Jaguars host defending champion Our Lady of the Lake in a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday.