Johnathan Peña
Sports Editor
Texas A&M University-San Antonio’s softball team opened their 2024 season against Schreiner University Mountaineers on Feb. 7 and competed in the OLLU Saints Classic tournament on Feb. 9-11.
The Jags aim to run a historic last season back to the Red River Athletic Conference Championship and go on their first trip to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics tournament.
The Jags became a clear contender for the 2024 season after they were picked to finish third in the 2024 RRAC preseason coaches poll in the preseason.
Nicole Dufour, the Jag’s head coach, explained the team’s determination for the 2024 season.
“We have to not settle and create and push a new standard each time we step onto the field,” Dufour said. “Knowing all the potential in this team, I want more and continue to push because there is always room for improvement.”
Feb. 7 doubleheader vs. Schreiner University Mountaineers
In the first game, A&M-San Antonio went against Schreiner University, who saw their first two losses of the 2024 season.
The synergy from the Jags helped them defeat the Mountaineers in controlling both games from beginning to end.
A&M-San Antonio outscored Schreiner University in the bottom of the first and fourth innings in game one. The final score was 16-3 in five innings.
In game two the Jags outscored the Mountaineers in the bottom of the second inning. First baseman Samara Aguilera hit a homer and catcher Jordyn Henry scored. The final score was 14-9 in seven innings.
Dufour emphasized that the team needed to play to their strengths and wanted them to stay disciplined during game two.
“We just had a little more discipline, one of our biggest things in every game is we need to make pitchers throw,” Dufour said. We know our strengths as hitters and we need to stay within that realm in being patient to capitalize on making them throw.”
Feb 9. game vs. Avila University Eagles
The Jags needed to keep the momentum up for the Our Lady of the Lake University Saints Classic tournament over the weekend.
In the bottom of the first inning, designated player and catcher Haleigh McDonald grounded out to shortstop. Third baseman Andrea Ortiz scored unearned, putting the Jags on the scoreboard.
Shortstop Emily Palacio homered down the left field putting the Jags up by two in the bottom of the second inning. Top of the third inning the Eagles scored on defensive errors from the Jags. The Eagles scored on defensive errors from the Jags in the top of the third inning.
The Jags closed out the game with catcher Jordyn Henry reaching on a fielder’s choice allowing right fielder Cara Penozola to score unearned from the Eagles’ defense in the bottom of the fifth. The final score was 5-3
Feb. 10 game vs Avila University Eagles and Sul Ross State University Lobos
Following the win on Saturday, A&M-San Antonio faced Avila University for the second time during the weekend.
The Eagles scored two home runs in the top of the sixth inning, outscoring the Jags with a final score of 0-5
Catcher Jordyn Henry singled through the left side, first baseman Kaylee Barlow advanced to second base and second baseman Peyton Vasquez scored, putting the Jags on the scoreboard.
Two batters later catcher Jordyn Henry homered to left field and catcher Haleigh McDonald scored. Kaylee Barlow scored and Peyton Vasquez scored in the bottom of the second.
The Jags kept the lead with third baseman Andrea Ortiz scoring in the end of the fifth inning. The final score was 14-5.
Feb. 11 game vs. Sul Ross University Lobos
In the last game of the OLLU Saints Classic against the Lobos, the Jags needed to keep the momentum up from their previous matchup.
In the bottom of the third inning, Kaylee Barlow singled to pitcher and left fielder Cara Penozola advanced to third base and second baseman Peyton Vasquez scored to put the Jags on the scoreboard.
Right fielder Belicia Urdiales singled to second base while shortstop Emily Palacio advanced to second and third baseman Andrea Ortiz and catcher Sam Goana scored. The score was 4-0
The Jags kept the lead until the top of the sixth when the Lobos scored on defensive errors. But the Jags did not give up on the defensive end and ended with a final score of 5-4.
The Jags’ average season record is 5-1.
A&M-San Antonio’s next home game is a doubleheader against Our Lady of the Lake University Saints on Feb. 24 at noon and 2 p.m. at Our Lady of the Lake University’s softball field in a rematch of the 2023 Red River Athletics Conference Championship.
