The Vanguard

Jaguar Softball Plays in Jane B. Memorial Tournament

By: Bryant Kwilecki | Sports Editor | March 7, 2023

Mobile, Ala. – The Jaguar softball team traveled to Auburn from March 3 to March 5 to compete in the Jane B. Memorial tournament and finished 4-1. 

On Friday night, the Jags split beating Tennessee Tech 9-0 and falling short to the Auburn Tigers 3-0. On Saturday, they won both games beating Bowling Green (BGU) 12-0 and then getting revenge against the 19th ranked Tigers, winning 2-1. On Sunday, they closed the weekend out with an 8-0 win over Tennessee Tech, improving their record to 13-7 on the season. 

“I’m proud of our grit this weekend. I thought overall, we took a big step forward as a team,” said Head Coach Becky Clark. “Right now, we have to continue to keep that forward momentum and continue to push forward as a team.” 

In the first game against the Tigers on Friday night, the Jags struck out 11 times and only had three hits in the shutout. On Saturday, the Jags played BGU and Jenna Hardy threw a five-inning no-hitter in a run-rule victory.

The Jags then rematched against the Tigers. Olivia Lackey threw a one-hitter and held the Tigers’ offense to a season-low of one run. The Jags scored their first run of the game off of an RBI double by Odalys Cordova in which Abby Allen scored. The second, and eventually winning run, came off an RBI single by Meredith Keel that brought Cordova home. Both runs came in the fifth inning and the Jags held on to upset the Tigers. In their win against Tennessee Tech on Sunday, the Jags scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth and Allen’s walk-off homer propelled them to the 8-0 run-rule win. Victoria Ortiz reached base on all three at-bats, going 2-2 with a walk. 

Sasha Willems, Lackie, Hardy, and Allen made the all-tournament team for their stellar play. Lackie was also named Sun Belt Pitcher of the Week for the second time this spring. From March 10 to 12, the Jags took three wins over Chattanooga, Iona, and Princeton and two losses to Lehigh and Iowa in Madeira Beach, Fla. The team will be back in action on March 17 when they play Georgia State at home.

Be sure to come out and support Jaguar softball!