Jags take down No. 7 Cumberlands, split Day 2 at Gulf Coast Invitational

GULF SHORES, Ala. – Claire Blinka made a statement on Saturday.

The senior from Port Lavaca blasted a leadoff home run in the first of two games for the UHV softball team at the Gulf Coast Invitational, sparking a 5-0 win over No. 7 Cumberlands (KY) as the Jaguars split the second day of the tournament.

It was the second home run of the season for Blinka, who finished 3-for-5 with an RBI at the plate in both games Saturday.

Kenzie Chambers, Jasmine Canales, Allison Snedeker and Deeandra Maldonado had RBIs in the win over the Patriots. Six different batters had hits for the Jaguars (12-12) in Game 1 of the day.

Audrie Sayas earned her fifth win of the season with a complete-game shutout, allowing just three hits against Cumberlands.

A late rally allowed Middle Georgia State to edge UHV, 7-5, in Saturday's nightcap. The Knights plated five runs in the sixth inning.

Maldonado had a career day in the loss, going 3-for-4 with four RBIs. The Alice native delivered a two-run single in the bottom of the third to put the Jaguars up 3-2 at the time. She then delivered an RBI single in the fifth to put UHV up 4-2. She drove in each of the first four runs for the Jaguars.

UHV tried to mount a rally and was able to bring the winning run to the plate in the seventh following an RBI double by Jasmine Canales.

Jocelyne Galvan worked well through four innings in her first start of the season, allowing two runs – one of which was earned – on five hits.

Hope Quinones suffered the loss in Game 2 after allowing two runs on two hits without recording an out in the sixth.

The Jaguars conclude the tournament at 9 a.m. Sunday vs. College of St. Mary (NE).