Islanders Split First Two Games in Tennessee

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – It was a day of thrilling highs and disappointing lows. It was vindication of a process and a reminder that nothing comes easy. Ultimately, it was a win and a loss and all the emotions that accompany both.
 
And it was only the first day.
 
On Day 1 of the Frost Classic on the campus of the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi softball team began with an exhilarating 2-1 victory of Valparaiso, followed by a disheartening 4-2 loss to host UT-Chattanooga that saw the Islanders commit four errors, leading to three unearned runs.

"That one stung a bit," A&M-Corpus Christi coach Kathleen Rodriguez said of the loss to the Mocs. "We had a couple errors that were the difference in the game."
 
The Islanders (7-3) got off to a rousing start thanks to the continued brilliance of senior pitcher Primrose Aholelei and the electrifying efforts of junior Rhea-Ann Avalos.
 
Aholelei was at her dominant best, striking out a career high 14 batters, allowing three measly singles, one unearned run and walking none. She faced just three batters over the minimum.
 
"Making sure all my different pitches were working and hitting my spots were key for me today," Aholelei said after improving to 4-2 on the season. "I was able to mix my pitches effectively to keep the batters off balance."
 
The senior from Hawaii is now alone in fifth place on the school's all-time wins list with 23, and her 240 career strikeouts have her tied for fourth all-time. She's also tied for seventh in complete games (29), and she lowered her career ERA to 1.76, which is behind only two-time all-American Sarah Pauly.
 
"Prim is such a businesswoman," Rodriguez said. "Her approach is truly icy. She is unaffected by anything around her beside the task at hand, and that is the pitch that is called at that moment. For our young pitchers to have that type of competitive nature to emulate is invaluable.
 
"She will definitely be on call the rest of the weekend."
 
Yet for all of Aholelei's magnificence, the Islanders still led just 1-0 after senior Alina Jasso scored an unearned run in the first inning. That lead lasted until the fourth, when a throwing error by the Islanders allowed the Beacons (2-8) to score their only run of the game.
 
Undeterred, the Islanders came to bat in the fifth inning and witnessed what's sure to be a signature moment for the team. With two outs and nobody on, Avalos was called on to pinch hit. She immediately saw a pitch she liked, turned on it and sent it sailing over the wall for a 2-1 Islanders lead.
 
"It's undoubtedly thrilling and can become intense and nerve-wracking, feeling like a significant amount of pressure at times," Avalos said. "Staying ready to play while watching from the sidelines can be challenging, but it's part of being an athlete. We definitely talk about being clutch in those critical moments, but it's also about preparation, mental focus and seizing opportunities when they arise. Luck can sometimes play a role, but it's mostly about being prepared and executing under pressure."
 
It was the second career home run for Avalos. Both have come as a pinch-hitter.
 
"Pinch-hitting is definitely one of the hardest things to do in college softball," Rodriguez said. "You are called to jump in and produce all while seeing a pitcher for the first time. That was a huge AB for Avalos and our team."
 
With the lead safely returned to her hands, Aholelei took care of the rest. The reigning Southland Conference Pitcher and Newcomer of the Year struck out four of the last six batters she faced, while producing two harmless pop fouls on the other two.
 
The Islanders had just three hits, but all went for extra bases. In addition to Jasso's double and Avalos's home run, senior catcher Felixia Hinojosa also doubled.
 
"It definitely helps when the offense comes through like Rhea-Ann did with that homer," Aholelei said. "My focus was on keeping our team in the game until our offense could get going, and I'm glad it all came together for us."
 
The happy feelings carried over to the second game of the day … until the sixth inning.
 
Against host UT-Chattanooga (8-4), the Islanders again struck first when Jasso sliced a double to right-center field in the third inning, scoring Avalos and freshman Brooke Jones.
 

Here's the proof. Jasso drives in a pair. pic.twitter.com/HW3OxLe5rU

— Islanders Softball (@IslandersSball) February 23, 2024

The Mocs manufactured a run in the bottom of the third, but it still appeared as if A&M-Corpus Christi starter Ariella Saenz was in control.

"Ari threw a great game," Rodriguez said. "She put is in position to win the game by getting us ground balls and fly balls every inning. I was proud of her effort against a talented Chattanooga squad."
 
The sophomore allowed just the one run and only two hits through five innings, but with two outs in the sixth inning, the Islanders' defense faltered. After having committed just six errors through the first eight games of the year, the Islanders committed three in the sixth inning alone, accounting for three unearned runs and the eventual loss.
 
Thanks to the tournament's format, the Islanders won't have long to bemoan their sixth-inning misfortune. A&M-Corpus Christi plays Ohio University at 9 a.m. Saturday and UT-Martin at 11:30 a.m., giving the team a hasty chance to erase the stench of one bad inning.

"We talk about being better women by learning from all we do both good and bad daily," Rodriguez said. "We decided we are allowing this loss to sit in our head and heart for enough time to truly reflect on how that loss felt and make the proper adjustments. Then we will regroup and get back to work tomorrow. This is yet another way for us to grow, learn and get better as a team."
 
TAMUCC (7-3, 0-0 SLC)
Feb. 23-25 – at Frost Classic (Chattanooga, Tenn.)
Feb. 23 – vs. Valparaiso W 2-1 | vs. UT-Chattanooga L 4-2
Feb. 24 – vs. Ohio (6-4) - 9 a.m. CT | vs. UT-Martin (4-5) – 11:30 a.m. CT
Feb. 25 – vs. Georgetown (6-4) - 9 a.m. CT
 
Up Next: Following the Frost Classic, the Islanders will face another grueling test with five more games in three days at the 5^th Boerner Invitational in Arlington. A&M-Corpus Christi will only face three teams this time, however, with a doubleheader against host UT-Arlington on Thursday, Feb. 29, followed by two games on Friday, March 1 against UTSA and Grambling. The Islanders play UTSA again on Saturday, March 2 before heading back home.
 
Next Home Game: The Islanders begin a three-game series against Texas A&M-Commerce to start Southland Conference play on Friday, March 8 at Chapman Field. The teams will play a doubleheader beginning at noon Friday followed by a single game beginning at noon Saturday, March 9.
 
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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