Softball hosts Jarvis Christian, Texas College in RRAC play

UHV softball head coach Lindsey Ortiz believes her team always gets better after competing in the Gulf Coast Invitational.

The longtime head coach of the Jaguars feels her team benefits from the high level of competition at the tournament and, in turn, is able to use that throughout the rest of the conference schedule. This year, UHV shut out No. 7-ranked Cumberlands (KY), 5-0, in the tournament.

The Jaguars (12-12, 4-2) will now get to use the experience from the tournament as they welcome Jarvis Christian and Texas College to the Victoria Youth Sports Complex Friday and Saturday for a pair of Red River Athletic Conference doubleheaders. Both series start at 1 p.m., respectively.

"At Gulf Shores, we were able to turn around from Friday, which was not a performance we were happy with," Ortiz said. "We came back and responded in a big way Saturday, so that's a positive takeaway for me that we were able to bounce back like that. We even played really well in the second game Saturday, but it just didn't go our way. But I think that transition for them kind of reminded them what they're capable of."

Before the game against Cumberlands, Ortiz shook up the batting order and put Port Lavaca native Claire Blinka in the leadoff spot for the first time this season.

The senior blasted a leadoff home run to open the game and give UHV a lead it never relinquished against the ranked opponent. Blinka went on to hit .455 over the four games in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Kenzie Chambers, Allison Snedeker, Jasmine Canales and Deeandra Maldonado followed up Blinka's leadoff blast with RBIs of their own to help the Jaguars cruise past the Patriots. Maldonado really found her form, hitting .385 with six RBIs in UHV's four games last week.

Chambers continues to lead the NAIA with 29 stolen bases this season.

"I think it was big on both sides," Ortiz said. "I think it gave our team a huge spark, something to lean into and get excited about. I also think that knocked Cumberlands on their heels a little bit. When you have the elite pitching they do, that's probably not something that happens to them very often. It took them a little time to respond and I think we capitalized on that. Sometimes you've just got to give a different look and it worked out that day."

Audrie Sayas earned her fifth win of the season after limiting the Patriots to just three hits.

She and Jocelyne Galvan delivered two stellar performances in the circle on Saturday, with Galvan surrendering just one earned run over four innings with no decision in a hard-fought 7-5 loss to Middle Georgia State.

Sayas ranks fourth in the RRAC with 46 strikeouts this season.

"I still feel like they're doing a great job as a staff and supporting each other," Ortiz said. "Obviously, Audrie had been kind of a constant and the rest have played various roles to this point. But, this is a big weekend with four games in two days. It's starting to pick up where we're going to have some busy weeks. Being able to rely on them in different roles is invaluable at this point."

UHV owns a 31-3 edge in the all-time series with Jarvis Christian, including a 16-0 mark at home. The Jaguars are 41-0 all-time against Texas College.