Jaguar Softball to Open 2023-2024 Season

San Antonio, TX-The Jaguar's softball team will play a double header against Schreiner University tomorrow at home (Harlandale ISD's Tejeda Sports Complex) to open the 2024 softball season. The Jaguars are coming off a historic 2023 season that ended in the opening round of the NAIA tournament, the team's first trip to the NAIA tournament in school history.

The Jaguar's were picked to finish third in the 2024 RRAC pre-season coaches poll, even receiving one first place vote. At least for now, Coach Nicole Dufour understands the role of the underdog will need to be played by another team in the league.

"We have always been in a position to play with a bit of a chip on our shoulder with motivation coming from external doubt and perceived disrespect. I think we can still play with a bit of a chip on our shoulder, but we will need to adapt to playing with a target on our back."

The 2024 Jaguars are an experienced group made up mostly of returners and transfers. It is a group with quite a bit of softball under their belts that will be expected to push for a conference championship and a return to the NAIA tournament.

"We are purposeful and deliberate with how our roster is built. We always want a good mix of returners, experienced transfers, and incoming freshmen. We want to be sure that the present and future success of the team is considered with each recruiting cycle. We really like this 2024 group and feel that it is a team that can continue with and improve upon the success we have had."

In the program's first year, 2021, the Jaguars finished with a 9-24 overall record and a 3-15 RRAC record, in 2022 the Jaguars finished with a 23-30 overall record and a 14-14 RRAC record, and in 2023 the Jaguars finished with a 30-23 overall record and a 20-8 RRAC record. The Jaguars made the conference tournament in 2022 and 2023 making it to the conference tournament championship game in 2023.

The double header against Schreiner University will be played with game one at 2:00pm and game two following at 4:00pm. All home games will be played at Harlandale ISD's Tejeda Sports Complex, and all home games will be live streamed. Live stream information can be found at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/tamusa/.