Softball set to face tough field at Gulf Coast Invitational

UHV softball head coach Lindsey Ortiz has fond memories of the Gulf Coast Invitational.

The team's trip to Gulf Shores, Alabama, has been a staple on UHV's schedule since the program's inaugural year in 2008.

Now, the Jaguars (11-9) prepare for another trip to the Gulf Shores Sports Complex. They'll face off with No. 16 Southeaster (FL) and St. Xavier (IL) on Friday, No. 7 Cumberlands (KY) and Middle Georgia State on Saturday, and College of Saint Mary (NE) on Sunday. All five opponents are either ranked or receiving votes in the first NAIA Softball Coaches' poll of the regular season announced on Wednesday.

"It's great bonding with a lot of time together and a little more distraction free," Ortiz said. "But it's also another opportunity to play that postseason level of competition and continue to build. It's a great chance to play the best to prepare ourselves for what our ultimate goals are. So, there's lots of benefits to this trip and I know everybody's super excited."

UHV is looking to bounce back after dropping both ends of a Red River Athletic Conference doubleheader to No. 9-ranked Our Lady of the Lake last weekend.

Despite the losses, the Jaguars' offense remains one of the best in the RRAC.

Kenzie Chambers leads the NAIA in stolen bases with 26 so far this season. She and Claire Blinka are Top 15 hitters in the RRAC, hitting .379 and .400, respectively.

Ortiz feels that, in order for the Jaguars to bounce back this week, they have to get back to playing their brand of softball and being "our best version on the field."

"I think that's a tough lesson to learn, but if you're going to learn it, the early in the season is the time to do it," Ortiz said. "This is a great opportunity to get back to what they were doing, trust that process and themselves, and go out there to play our game and not try to be anybody else. That's been the message this week, that we're going to prepare the way we want to prepare. Yes, we're going to play some great competition, but we're great competition, too."

Audrie Sayas and Hope Quinones have worked well in the circle this season for UHV.

Sayas ranks fourth in the RRAC in ERA (2.27) while Quinones is fourth in wins (6). They rank third and fifth in strikeouts with 43 and 35, respectively.

But Ortiz has seen plenty of growth in the bullpen with Alexi Wade, Keira Reis, Jocelyne Galvan and Aracely Guzman.

Guzman has done well in three relief appearances, having yet to surrender a run in 4.1 innings pitched. The freshman from Hallettsville threw two shutout innings against the Saints and recorded a season-high three strikeouts.

"I'm super excited about Aracely because she has grown so much in a short time," Ortiz said. "She came in at semester break, so we didn't have a fall semester with her. So, to see that growth in a couple of weeks is incredible. I still feel strongly that, throughout the season, we're going to use them as a staff. So, the more we can get her, Jocelyne, Keira and Wade innings, the better they're going to be. And Aracely has shown that."