Heading into the week on a three-game winning streak, the Jags were looking to extend their streak against some of the top teams in the Red River Athletic Conference.
Six games in five days, all on the road against Huston-Tillotson University, Texas A&M University-Texarkana and Louisiana State University of Alexandria.
These games can build up or tear down the team’s overall morale. This young Jags team will be put to the test to see if they can hang with top-seeded teams in the RRAC.
Doubleheader vs. Huston-Tillotson University Rams April 19
Offensively, the Jags came out flat in both games. There wasn’t a spark that could build momentum.
Solid pitching performances by freshman Bethany Garrett and junior Ebbie Rodriguez kept the Jags within striking distance but they ultimately came up short.
It wasn’t that the Rams completely dominated the Jags but they did just enough to win both games by two runs or less.
Game 1: Final score: 2-1
Game 2: Final score: 3-1
Doubleheader vs. Texas A&M University-Texarkana Eagles April 22
Game 1:
Going into this game, the Jags knew that they were facing an Eagles team that stands as the number one seed in the East division of the RRAC.
This game started off slow as both teams were scoreless through the first three innings.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Eagles scored one run to take the lead.
Two innings later junior right fielder Peyton Vasquez doubled then junior second baseman Caty Rangel grounded out to the pitcher, which advanced Vasquez to third.
Next, junior center fielder Vanessa Garces singled to bring in Vasquez, which tied the game.
The game remained tied as this game went into extra innings.
After a certain amount of extra innings, the umpires implement having a runner on second to start the inning to see who scores first.
In the top of the 10th, junior outfielder Britney Garcia was placed second then freshman first baseman Karina Guzman grounded out to advance Garcia to third.
Two batters later, freshman third baseman Andrea Ortiz singled to score Garcia.
The score is now 2-1.
In the bottom of the inning, the Eagles matched the Jags to keep the game tied.
Now in the 11th, Ortiz was placed second to start the inning.
Vasquez then singled to advance Ortiz to third.
Next, Rangel grounded out to third, which advanced Vasquez to second.
Then freshman catcher Julia Pinzon reached on a fielder’s choice sacrifice bunt that scored Ortiz and advanced Vasquez to third.
In the next at-bat, Garces reached on a fielder’s choice, which scored Vasquez to extend their lead and advanced Pinzon to third.
On a passed ball, Pinzon scored while Garces advanced to second.
Garcia then singled to bring in Garces to score their fourth run of the inning.
Rodriguez was able to shut down the Eagles in the bottom half of the inning to secure the win for the Jags.
Final score: 6-4.
Game 2:
Following the extra-inning bout, both teams had to hit the restart button to get ready for the second game.
The 11-inning game had taken a toll on the Jags as they were held to three runs on seven hits.
Also, costly errors by the Jags put the Eagles in a position to control the momentum through six innings of play.
The Jag’s pitching staff had to use three pitchers so that they do not burn out their starters for the rest of the weekend.
Final score: 11-3.
Doubleheader vs. LSU-Alexandria Generals April 22
The struggles from early in the week continued into this doubleheader.
Both games saw the Jags stagnant in the box as they were held to no runs through 13 innings.
In the first game, it was up for the taking as both teams were scoreless through four innings.
The Generals then scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth which gave them the win.
In-game two, the Generals kicked off the first inning with five runs and never looked back.
The Jags headed home with a pair of tough losses.
Game 1: Final score: 2-0
Game 2: Final score: 9-0
Standout Players of The Week:
Rodriguez was the standout player of the week. Her contributions on the mound helped secure a win against 13th ranked Texas A&M University-Texarkana, while keeping the Jags competitive in their losses.
- Rodriguez: 23.2 IP, 27 H, 5 ER, 6 SO
Although the Jags struggled throughout the week, they were able to secure their spot in the RRAC playoff tournament.
With two more games left on the schedule against the University of Houston-Victoria Jaguars, it is important that the Jags go into the tournament with momentum.
Who they play in the playoffs has yet to be decided but this Jags team is capable of making a deep run into the playoffs to compete for a championship.
For more information and news about A&M-San Antonio’s softball team, visit their social media account on Twitter, @TamusaSoftball, and Instagram, @Tamusa_softball. Team coverage can be found at @tamusasports on all other social media platforms.
