Late-inning surges, strong pitching lift A&M-Victoria to doubleheader sweep of Xavier (La.)

The Texas A&M University-Victoria softball team put together a pair of composed, timely performances to sweep Xavier (La.) in a Friday doubleheader at the Victoria Youth Sports Complex.

The Jaguars rallied for a 9-4 win in the opener before taking Game 2, 4-2. A&M-Victoria (16-10, 7-4) was powered by steady production from the middle of the order and anchored by effective outings in the circle. That helped the team improve to 8-1 at home this season, as well.

Across the doubleheader, Angelina Morales drove in four runs with three hits, including two doubles, while scoring four times. Cristela Trevino finished the afternoon with five hits and five RBIs, consistently delivering in key moments. Khamryn Werdlow totaled four hits and four runs scored, and Madison Carr added three hits and three RBIs as part of a balanced attack.

In the circle, Madelyn Butler controlled Game 2 from start to finish with a complete-game three-hitter to earn her first-career win, while Kailea Freeman delivered six strong innings of relief in Game 1.

Game 1

Xavier jumped ahead early in the second game, scoring three runs in the first inning and adding another in the third to build a 4–0 advantage.

The Jaguars, held without a hit through the first three innings, began chipping away in the fourth when Carr scored on a throwing error and Trevino drove in Morales to bring the score to 4-2.

A&M–Victoria seized full control in the fifth with a three-run surge. Morales doubled to center to bring home Werdlow and Daizie Fuentez, and Trevino's RBI single moments later gave the Jaguars their first lead of the game.

The momentum carried into the sixth, where A&M-Victoria plated four more runs. Carr singled through the left side to score a run, Morales added another RBI on a fielder's choice, and Trevino capped her standout performance with a two-run single down the right-field line.

Trevino finished the game 3-for-4 with three RBIs, while Morales added three RBIs, two runs and a double. Carr contributed two hits, a run, and an RBI, and Werdlow scored twice with a pair of hits.

Freeman's six innings of one-run relief, featuring four strikeouts and only four hits allowed, led to the second-career win for the Palacios native.

Game 2

Butler's command and efficiency gave the Jaguars early momentum, as she retired Xavier in order in each of the first three innings.

A&M-Victoria struck quickly when Werdlow singled, stole third, and scored on Carr's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first. The Jaguars carried that 1-0 lead into the sixth before breaking through with patience at the plate.

A walk and a single set the stage for Emily Mayo to draw a bases-loaded walk, and Deeandra Maldonado followed with a two-run single to center that pushed the lead to 4–0.

Xavier threatened late, cutting the margin in half on a two-run homer in the seventh, but Butler closed the door to finish off a complete-game victory without issuing a walk. The Leander native finished with a season-high three strikeouts.

Werdlow recorded two hits and scored twice, Trevino added a single, Morales reached twice with a hit and a walk, and Maldonado's two-run knock provided the decisive separation.

Next up

The two teams wrap up the three-game series at 12 p.m. on Saturday. Following the conclusion of Saturday's game, the Jaguars will recognize seniors Kelsey Perez, Daizie Fuentez, Fayth Hoover and Sianna Miller with a postgame ceremony.