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A look back at the Jaguars' breakthrough 2022 softball season
Posted: Jun 15, 2022

A look back at the Jaguars' breakthrough 2022 softball season

SAN ANTONIO – Texas A&M University–San Antonio's softball team enjoyed a memorable 2022 season that saw the Jaguars set many program firsts. 

The Jaguars (23-30) more than doubled their previous season's win total in year two as they qualified for the Red River Athletic Conference in the first year they were eligible. A&M–San Antonio finished sixth overall out of 11 teams in the conference.

When they reached the conference's postseason event, the Jaguars did not stop winning. A&M–San Antonio claimed not one, but two wins during the double-elimination tournament, eliminating two opponents in the process.

The Jaguars placed three players – Vanessa Garces, Andrea Ortiz, and Peyton Vasquez – on the All-RRAC teams, while Julia Pinzon was named to the All-RRAC Tournament team at the conclusion of the postseason event.

Vasquez added multiple awards to her trophy case following the 2022 season. The junior transfer from Porter, Texas (Cisco College) was also named to the All-Second Team for the NAIA's Region II by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, the first such honor for an A&M–San Antonio softball player in program history.

At season's end, Vasquez' 45 stolen bases led all RRAC players. She was also A&M–San Antonio's leading hitter in 2022, batting .396; Her 67 hits, 25 walks, and .472 on-base percentage also led the team. 

Texas A&M–San Antonio's softball team set numerous program firsts throughout the year. The list includes:

  • First win over a ranked NAIA opponent (April 22 at No. 13 Texas A&M–Texarkana)
  • First win over a team receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 poll (March 12 in a 7-6 win over Our Lady of the Lake)
  • First wins and sweep over a team that eventually qualified for the NAIA National Tournament (Feb. 19 in a doubleheader sweep of William Woods [Mo.])
  • First winning streaks of five games (Accomplished twice during the season)
  • First victories ended early due to mercy rule (Accomplished three times during the season, including the 10-1 win over Xavier [La.] in the RRAC Tournament)
  • First conference statistical leader at the end of the season (Peyton Vasquez' 45 stolen bases)
  • First RRAC Tournament victories (Accomplished May 7 with back-to-back wins over Xavier [La.] and LSU–Alexandria)
  • First season in which the Jaguars defeated every conference opponent at least once
  • First season in which multiple home runs were hit (Interestingly, after hitting just one home run as a team last year in Oklahoma City, the 2022 Jaguars hit eight home runs, all in San Antonio)
  • First season in which a player ranked in the RRAC's Top 10 in home runs (Julia Pinzon's six home runs currently ranks seventh in the conference)
  • First season in which a starting pitcher compiled a winning record (Ebbie Rodriguez went 8-7 for the Jaguars)
  • First time in which the eventual NAIA national champion appeared on the Jaguars' schedule (the Jaguars briefly led then-undefeated Oklahoma City 1-0 in a game the Stars eventually won March 5)
  • First Senior Day to recognize graduating seniors. Vanessa Garces graduated in May 2022, and is officially the program's first alumna.

With such an exhilarating run through the season and postseason, the future appears bright for the Jaguars in 2023.