Saints Open Conference with Two Exciting Wins Over Houston-Victoria

SAN ANTONIO (Feb. 18, 2023) – The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) softball team opened its Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) schedule with a win over the University of Houston-Victoria (UHV). The Saints 5-3 and 12-9 to move to 8-2 overall and 2-0 in the conference. The Jaguars drop to 3-5 overall and 0-2 in the conference.

Head Coach Bruce Lenington commented, "People who were in attendance certainly got their money's worth. This was two teams battling for every inch of the field, and for those around the country who don't think there's good softball in the RRAC, today's doubleheader would prove them wrong. Both dugouts played their tails off today."

History

The Saints are 19-30 against the Jaguars. Last season, OLLU won two and lost two to UHV.

Game One

The Saints put the first runs on the board in the first game after  Madison Nunn reached base. She stole third base and came home on an error by the catcher, Harley Escamilla.

The Jaguars added two runs in the third inning on a double from Madysin Leighton that sent Alana Ortega and Kenzie Chambers home. Cassandra Valdez hit a homer for the Saints, and Caitlin Terrazas did the same to put the team ahead 3-2.

The fourth inning saw another run from the Jaguars on a double from Cameron Cowan that scored Lauren Caka.

The game went into extra innings, and in the eighth, Terrazas hit her second homer of the game, and with Joanna Gonzalez on base, the Saints got the 5-3 win.

Terrazas led the offense for the Saints as she went 2-for-2, adding two home runs, including the walk-off homer, and three RBIs. Gonzalez went 2-for-4.

Valdez earned the win, after pitching all eight innings, striking out nine.

Game Two

Houston-Victoria rallied in the third inning to score five runs. Claire Blinka's single sent Alana Ortega home, and Allison Snedeker hit a home run to score Madysin Leighton and Blinka. Cameron Cowan's single scored Lauren Caka and the Jaguars took the 5-0 lead.  OLLU's Rebecca Duran started the inning with a home run. Madison Nunn was hit by a pitch, and with the bases loaded, Valdez scored. A single from Madison Garza scored Terrazas, and the Saints now trailed 3-5.

UHV scored a run in the fourth. With the bases loaded, Leighton was hit by the Saints' pitcher, and Harley Escamilla came home. With the score now 6-3 for the Jaguars, Allyssa Flores hit a double to score Emilia Salinas and Terrazas. The Saints now trailed 6-5.

In the fifth inning, the Saints rallied to score five runs on five hits. Duran started the spree with a homer that also scored Julissa Moreno. Gonzalez hit a solo home run. Terrazas doubled, and Valdez came home. Flores reached base on an error, and Terrazas scored. The Saints took the 10-6 lead.

The Jaguars attempted a comeback in the sixth inning after scoring three runs. With the game at 10-9, Duran hit a double to score Kayla Dreese, and Duran stole home to give the Saints the 12-9 lead and win.

Duran led the offense after she went 4-for-5 with two home runs and four RBIs. Flores went 2-for-4 and added two RBIs,

Ariel Montgomery earned the win after pitching 2.1 innings. Valdez took the Save after pitching two innings.

Up next

The Saints host NCAA D2 Texas A&M University – Kingsville on Feb. 19 for a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m.