Johnathan Peña
Sports Editor
Over the spring break, Texas A&M University-San Antonio’s softball team held a winning streak against Red River Athletic Conference rivals Texas College, Jarvis Christian University and Doane University at the Tejeda Sports Complex softball field and in an away game at the University of Southwest in New Mexico.
A&M-San Antonio fans supported the Jags for their eight-game home stretch and filled the stadium stands with home-bought chairs, baseball caps, sunglasses and sunscreen.
March 8 doubleheader vs. Texas College Steers
In the first game, A&M-San Antonio faced off against Texas College, with both teams winning each game of the doubleheader.
The Texas College Steers opened the first matchup by shutting out any runs for the Jags to score. Late in the seventh inning the Steers darted a heavy offensive run.
The score was 4-1 with the Steers winning.
Coming back from a 0-3 deficit, the Jags pressed the Steers to 10 innings making it a close game for either team to win. During the bottom of the sixth inning, the Jags stole unprotected bases from the Steers making the final score 5-4 with the Jags defeating the Steers.
March 9 doubleheader vs. Jarvis Christian University Bulldogs
The Jags were ready for a fierce competition against the Jarvis Christian University Bulldogs after the matchup against the Steers. The Jags pushed for a strong run on the defensive end to keep the Bulldogs from scoring.
The score was 5-4 with the Jags securing the first game of the doubleheader.
Pitcher Ebbie Rodriguez struck out three batters from the Bulldogs in seven innings, which played a key component on the defensive end for the Jags but it wasn’t enough to hold the Bulldogs from coming back.
“Overall, this weekend, we were a little shaky — it hasn’t been our best hitting or defense-wise,” Rodriguez said. “We have to remember to play fundamental softball, whenever we make an error, we have to bounce back.”
Samara Aguilera helped close out the second game with four runs batted in.
“I haven’t been a starter early in the season, so when I was put in, I wanted to prove and show what I can do,” said Aguilera.
During the bottom of the eighth inning, Aguilera singled through the left side of the field, advancing Rachel Warren on third base to score on a run and ending the second game with a score of 6-5.
March 13 doubleheader vs. Doane University Tigers
A&M-San Antonio faced off against the Doane University Tigers in a regular season matchup, resulting in a clean sweep from the Jags.
In the first game, the Tigers scored two runs early in the first inning from a homerun, making it a close game.
The Jags countered back with a home run from left fielder Karina Rodriguez, which led the team with two RBIs in the bottom of the first inning.
Rodriguez hit her first home run as a collegiate softball player for A&M-San Antonio.
“We capitalized on their mistakes and did not lead up with our hitting by getting it together,” Rodriguez said.
The Jags’ offensive and defensive firepower were unstoppable in the second game. The Jags defensively had six strikeouts from pitcher Ryanne Limon and shortstop Kiara McCoy made crucial catches to get the Tigers out and offensively score on two RBIs.
“We did pretty good on holding the defense with some mistakes, but definitely made it up in the offense, McCoy said.”Coach always tells us after we take the first win we usually lead up to the second game.”
A&M-San Antonio held the lead until the end of the sixth inning. The final score was 9-2.
March 16 doubleheader vs. University of Southwest in New Mexico Mustangs
The Jags had an away conference doubleheader against the Mustangs on March 16.
In the first game, Jags had a terrific run in the top of the fifth inning with third baseman Andrea Ortiz, hitting and safely making it to second base scoring two RBIs.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Mustangs fired back with a home run, but the Jags’ defense stopped any push the Mustangs had.
The score was 9-4.
In the second game, the Jags closed out the Mustangs with an aggressive first inning scoring five runs-batted-in.
But the Mustangs didn’t let the offensive surge of the Jags stop them from making a push in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring four runs-batted-in.
The Jags still held onto the lead in the top of the seventh inning, closing the game with Aguilera who grounded out to second base, scoring an RBI.
Second baseman Peyton Vasquez, scored on the run to home base ending with a final score of 11-9.
The Jags’ average season record is 15-7 and their Red River Athletic Conference record is 5-5.
