Softball set to open preseason practice on Tuesday
When the UHV softball team opens practice on Tuesday, the team will have high expectations for the 2024 season
The Jaguars went 28-18 in 2023, reaching the RRAC Semifinals for the sixth consecutive year. UHV returns all but two players from last year's postseason run and is hoping it can win a fifth RRAC championship.
"I think we've put ourselves in a position where our returning class has the experience necessary to be successful to the levels we want," said head coach Lindsey Ortiz, who enters her 11th season at the helm of the program. "Our recruiting class, honestly, it ups our talent level a significant notch. So, those two things combined, I think, can put us in a position to really reach our goals this year."
Heading up UHV's talented returning group are 2023 All-RRAC first team selections Cameron Cowan, Claire Blinka and Kenzie Chambers, as well as second team selection Madysin Leighton.
Cowan set the new UHV all-time shutout mark (14) last year while posting a 17-6 record with a 2.40 ERA. Her 17 wins last year tied the fifth-most in a single season with Lauren Garza's 2009 mark.
The senior from Shiner was also a three-time RRAC Pitcher of the Week honoree, including once after throwing her first career No-Hitter against Schreiner University.
Last year, the pitching staff of Cowan, Cameron Steen, Neech Mendoza and Lexi Wade held a staff ERA of 3.34.
Ortiz is also excited about the addition of LSU Alexandria transfer Eryn Sanchez. During her freshman season in 2021, Sanchez, a Klein Oak product, was named to the All-RRAC first team after posting an 11-1 record overall and 8-0 in conference play with a 2.63 ERA.
"I think I'm a pitching-minded coach. I think you have to have above par pitching to go as far as we want to go," Ortiz said. "This staff is not only talented, but the girls we're going to be relying on have the kind of presence I want the rest of my team to emulate. So, I think they're really going to set the standard. I think those girls in the circle are going to be the ones who set the tone for us and put us in position to win a lot of games."
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In 2023, Chambers and Leighton combined for 76 of UHV's 88 stolen bases. Chambers' 36 steals last year ranks second all-time in a single season.
With that duo returning, along with Allison Snedeker's team-leading five triples last year, and the addition of Vernon College transfer Jordan Jones, Ortiz feels the Jaguars have the potential to be more aggressive on the bases.
Jones, a native of The Woodlands, hit .511 and had on on-base percentage of .561 while stealing a team-leading 22 bases last year for Vernon. She was an All-Region and second team All-North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference selection last season.
"I think we're more dynamic offensively than we have been," Ortiz said. "I think we're going to have a lot more options this year and not be a one-trick pony, not go base to base like we have in the past. We're going to have the potential to be in some good situations. We're excited about that, and the players are excited, too. It ups the energy and gives you something to really lean into. I think their baserunning is going to make a difference for us this year."
The Jaguars open the season on Feb. 9 at the LSU Alexandria-Louisiana Christian tournament against Central Baptist College. UHV's home opener is Feb. 16 with a 1 p.m. doubleheader against the University of St. Thomas (TX).