Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 JACKSON, Miss. – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi softball team posted a 2-0 start to the season for the second year in a row after dominating Arlington Baptist 13-4 and topping Alcorn State 4-2 on day one of the River City Classic.
The success came after some unforeseen challenges, as impending weather rearranged the tournament schedule including opponents and times.
Despite that, the Islanders (2-0) still matched the program's best start to a season since 2005 with the two wins after doing the same last year. The 13-4 win over Arlington Baptist secured the eighth season-opening win since the program began in 2000, though, it marks the largest margin of victory in a season opener in program history and best since a 9-1 win over Loyola-Chicago in the 2011 opener.
The 17 total runs scored by the Islanders is also a program best on opening day. It is just the third time in program history that A&M-Corpus Christi scored over 10 runs on the first day of the season, with the second and last time coming last year under head coach
Kathleen Rodriguez with 12. The Islanders scored 14 on opening day of the 2021 season.
In game one, senior
Alina Jasso powered a strong offense after going 4-for-5 at the plate with two extra-base hits. She scored every time she reached based in addition to driving in one of the 13 team runs as well. Six batters in the lineup ended with a multi-day game, including junior
Monee Montilla and freshman
Isabella Hune who both went 3-of-5. Montilla and senior
Kimane Rogron led the game with three RBIs apiece.
While the second game was less of a barrage, the Islanders still rounded up a solid offensive effort to back their pitching. Jasso showed discipline and drew a walk in each at-bat, helping her round home for the fifth time of the day. Three-year returner
Paolina Baez showed her bat and knocked two hits involving an RBI-double. Rogron and Montilla each also barreled a double as both accounted for driving in a run for the 4-2 win.
Sophomore
Ariella Saenz opened in the circle and pitched her way to the first win of the season. Newcomer
Malia Williams relieved Saenz for her first appearance in an Islanders uniform and threw for six strikes during her outing. Against Alcorn State, junior
Siarah Galvan got the start and the win before the reigning SLC Pitcher of the Year made her 2024 debut in relief, earning herself the save after striking out 10 of the 12 batters she faced.
"Opening day on the softball diamond is such an exciting time of the year!" said Rodriguez. "Our team has been working hard daily, both in the weight room and on the field to strengthen their craft. We are really proud of our effort today. Our pitchers combined for four strong outings and our women fielded and swung the bat well. We are looking forward to building on a strong opening day!"
It was the first-ever meeting with Arlington Baptist and just the second with Alcorn State as the Islanders remain undefeated against the Braves. A&M-Corpus Christi last defeated Alcorn State 7-6 in 2017.
The Islanders will play two games tomorrow, starting against the host, Jackson State, at 8 a.m. They will close out the tournament Sunday against Grambling before making a pit stop at Louisiana Tech on their way back for a 6 p.m. game Monday.
Stay Social
For more information on Islanders Softball, keep up with the team via their Facebook page (
Islanders Softball) and follow the program on Twitter (
@IslandersSball) and Instagram (
islanderssball).
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