Jaguars defeat Howard Payne, lightning tops game two

BROWNWOOD, Texas – The Jaguars of Texas A&M University–San Antonio returned to winning ways Tuesday with a 4-0 win at Howard Payne.

Pitching the first game of a scheduled doubleheader, Ryanne Limon (San Antonio, Texas / Smithson Valley) tossed a four-hit shutout to lead the Jaguars to victory. The sophomore struck out four batters and scattered five hits as she became the second player in program history to record a complete-game shutout.

Game two of the non-conference doubleheader was ultimately cancelled because of lightning from a storm that passed through Brownwood at the conclusion of the first game.

Freshman catcher Julia Pinzon (San Antonio, Texas / Madison) knocked a double and two RBIs to lead the Jaguars (18-21) at the plate. Her RBI groundout in the first inning that scored Peyton Vasquez (Porter, Texas / Cisco College) from third base proved to be the game-winner.

Vasquez went 2-for-3 at the plate, stole three bases and scored three runs A&M–San Antonio. Sidney Garza (San Antonio, Texas / Ranger College), and Andrea Ortiz (Mission, Texas / Sharyland Pioneer) also went 2-for-3 in the game.

The Jaguars made the most of their opportunities with runners in scoring position and knocked in three of their four runs on groundball outs. Caty Rangel (Austin, Texas / Ranger College) and Vanessa Garces (Edinburg, Texas / Coastal Bend College) drove in runs on groundouts in the game.

Howard Payne was not without chances to score in the game. The host Yellow Jackets twice put runners on third base, only to leave them stranded. Patricia Davilla hit a two-out triple in the second inning to become her team's first baserunner in the game, but Limon then induced Madison Love to hit a popup to end the inning.

Trailing 3-0 in the sixth inning, the Yellow Jackets put runners on second and third base with one out in the frame. However, Limon ended the threat when she got Tori Muro to hit an infield popup and then struck out Hannah Morales looking to leave HPU scoreless.

Tuesday's game against Howard Payne was the 15th contest the Jaguars have played against an NCAA Division III program, but the first against a team from the American Southwest Conference. A&M–San Antonio is now 6-3 all-time on the road against Division III opponents.

The Jaguars return to action Friday, April 15, when they host Southwest (N.M.) in a Red River Athletic Conference doubleheader at Harlandale ISD's Tejeda Softball Complex. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Prior to the start of the first game, the Jaguars will honor the eight players on the team who have reached senior status in their academic careers and will be graduating from the university. The ceremony will start at 12:30 p.m.