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Apr. 8—Considering how tough of a stretch the UTPB softball team has had to go through, Sunday's doubleheader victories against Sul Ross State couldn't have felt sweeter.
Prior to the doubleheader against the Lobos, the Falcons had suffered a 19-game losing streak, dating back to March 2.
Now, UTPB not only has put that streak to bed, the Falcons also got their first Lone Star Conference doubleheader sweep this season while also surpassing last year's win total.
UTPB (8-34 overall, 3-29 in Lone Star Conference) defeated Sul Ross State by scores of 6-2 and 5-4 at home Sunday and first-year head coach AubreeAna Avila-Oropeza is hopeful that more victories will come.
"I think getting those two wins will help with the girls' confidence," Avila-Oropeza said at Monday's press conference at the D. Kirk Human Performance Center. "They finally put everything together ... When we get in the right direction, we can get those wins. Just coming off that and staying hot is really going to help them continue into this week and get some more wins. I know they're capable of it. Getting those two wins showed that yes we can and it took some of the pressure off them."
Despite surpassing last year's wins, she's not going to be satisfied with only eight victories.
"It's exciting, it was definitely a goal to pass last year's win-total but I told the girls after the game to act like we've been there before and let's get some more wins because I'm not going to be satisfied with just eight," Avila-Oropeza said.
UTPB did sweep Schreiner University to begin the season in a four-game nonconference series back on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.
>> HAVE WE MET? Things won't get much easier for the Falcons, though, as UTPB will next face Lubbock Christian (24-18, 15-17) in a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m. Friday at Maner Park.
After that, the Falcons will face No. 7-ranked Angelo State in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday in San Angelo.
Friday's games won't be the first time UTPB has faced Lubbock Christian this season.
The Falcons last played the Chaparrals back on Feb. 7 in a tournament at Maner Park, which resulted in a 3-0 win for Lubbock Christian.
After that, the Falcons lost a doubleheader to Lubbock Christian by scores of 5-1 and 8-1 on March 30 at UTPB Softball Park.
The Falcons also last faced Angelo State back on March 28, losing by scores of 10-1 and 4-2 at UTPB Softball Park.
"We have seen them," Avila-Oropeza said. "This will be our fourth time seeing them. We saw them a couple weeks ago and we know what to expect. We know what their pitching consists of and how their defense plays and how they hit. We're going to continue to watch film and we're going to work and do the little things to beat them. I think we'll definitely take one."
>> HAVING FUN: UTPB junior outfielder Kelsey Valo had three hits and two RBIs in game one of Sunday's doubleheader against Sul Ross State.
Her first RBI tied the game in the first inning before her second gave the Falcons a 3-1 lead in the fifth after a double to left center field.
In game two, she had one hit and one RBI.
"Honestly, I was just out there having fun," Valo said. "I think sometimes we forget why we're here and slowing the game down and going out there, relaxing, was the key."
Valo talked about how good it felt to finally get a win.
"It helps a lot," Valo said. "When you're losing, you get down. But when you get that boost from a win, it just makes you realize that we can do it."
>> GOING FORWARD: Avila-Oropeza said she just wants to continue to see the fight from her players as the Falcons get ready for the final stretch of the season.
"I just want to see the grit," Avila-Oropeza said. "I talk a lot about having fun and the fight and these girls show it every game and as long as they keep showing it, that's all I ask. I don't want them to be satisfied or complacent and our girls want more. They'll continue to show it. I think just being able to push them and show them how much I believe in them will help out a lot."
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Prior to the doubleheader against the Lobos, the Falcons had suffered a 19-game losing streak, dating back to March 2.
Now, UTPB not only has put that streak to bed, the Falcons also got their first Lone Star Conference doubleheader sweep this season while also surpassing last year's win total.
UTPB (8-34 overall, 3-29 in Lone Star Conference) defeated Sul Ross State by scores of 6-2 and 5-4 at home Sunday and first-year head coach AubreeAna Avila-Oropeza is hopeful that more victories will come.
"I think getting those two wins will help with the girls' confidence," Avila-Oropeza said at Monday's press conference at the D. Kirk Human Performance Center. "They finally put everything together ... When we get in the right direction, we can get those wins. Just coming off that and staying hot is really going to help them continue into this week and get some more wins. I know they're capable of it. Getting those two wins showed that yes we can and it took some of the pressure off them."
Despite surpassing last year's wins, she's not going to be satisfied with only eight victories.
"It's exciting, it was definitely a goal to pass last year's win-total but I told the girls after the game to act like we've been there before and let's get some more wins because I'm not going to be satisfied with just eight," Avila-Oropeza said.
UTPB did sweep Schreiner University to begin the season in a four-game nonconference series back on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.
>> HAVE WE MET? Things won't get much easier for the Falcons, though, as UTPB will next face Lubbock Christian (24-18, 15-17) in a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m. Friday at Maner Park.
After that, the Falcons will face No. 7-ranked Angelo State in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday in San Angelo.
Friday's games won't be the first time UTPB has faced Lubbock Christian this season.
The Falcons last played the Chaparrals back on Feb. 7 in a tournament at Maner Park, which resulted in a 3-0 win for Lubbock Christian.
After that, the Falcons lost a doubleheader to Lubbock Christian by scores of 5-1 and 8-1 on March 30 at UTPB Softball Park.
The Falcons also last faced Angelo State back on March 28, losing by scores of 10-1 and 4-2 at UTPB Softball Park.
"We have seen them," Avila-Oropeza said. "This will be our fourth time seeing them. We saw them a couple weeks ago and we know what to expect. We know what their pitching consists of and how their defense plays and how they hit. We're going to continue to watch film and we're going to work and do the little things to beat them. I think we'll definitely take one."
>> HAVING FUN: UTPB junior outfielder Kelsey Valo had three hits and two RBIs in game one of Sunday's doubleheader against Sul Ross State.
Her first RBI tied the game in the first inning before her second gave the Falcons a 3-1 lead in the fifth after a double to left center field.
In game two, she had one hit and one RBI.
"Honestly, I was just out there having fun," Valo said. "I think sometimes we forget why we're here and slowing the game down and going out there, relaxing, was the key."
Valo talked about how good it felt to finally get a win.
"It helps a lot," Valo said. "When you're losing, you get down. But when you get that boost from a win, it just makes you realize that we can do it."
>> GOING FORWARD: Avila-Oropeza said she just wants to continue to see the fight from her players as the Falcons get ready for the final stretch of the season.
"I just want to see the grit," Avila-Oropeza said. "I talk a lot about having fun and the fight and these girls show it every game and as long as they keep showing it, that's all I ask. I don't want them to be satisfied or complacent and our girls want more. They'll continue to show it. I think just being able to push them and show them how much I believe in them will help out a lot."
Continue reading...
