SAN ANTONIO (Feb. 6, 2015) – Two losses for the Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) baseball team's first games of its inaugural season did not dampen the spirit of the 33-member squad. The Saints have been preparing for this day for more than six months, and the OLLU community celebrated with much fan fair prior to the beginning of the doubleheader against the University of Houston-Victoria (UHV). The Saints lost 5-2 and 9-4.

Athletic Director Jack Hank welcomed the crowd and introduced special guests Gabe Farias, President of the West San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff and Sister Jane Ann Slater – all of whom threw out the first pitches prior to the beginning of the game.

After the presentation of the colors by the Central Catholic High School Color Guard and the singing of the National Anthem by OLLU student Ashlie Martinez, the first-ever OLLU Saints baseball game started.

Starting Saints pitcher Jordan Hackett (FR/San Antonio, Texas) kept the Jaguars scoreless through the third inning when a sacrifice hit by UHV's Kyle Bludau drove in Matthew Herrera.

In the fourth inning, UHV's Cole Urban reached base on a Saints error, and ultimately scored on another Saints error to give the Jaguars the 2-0 lead.

The Saints put two runs on the board to tie the game in the sixth inning. OLLU shortstop Tyler Davis (JR/Weatherford, Texas) reached based on a misplayed grounder by third-baseman Urban, and a double from designated hitter Joshua Razo (JR/Pearland, Texas) gave Davis the go-ahead to score. A shot out to centerfield from first-baseman Jake Simmons (SO/La Porte, Texas) drove in pinch-runner Darius Patton (SO/San Antonio, Texas).

The game remained tied through the end of regulation. In the top of the ninth inning, the Jaguars scored three runs, and the Saints closed out the inning without scoring to end the game with the 5-2 loss.

Razo and Simmons led the Saints in hitting with two hits each, and both recorded an RBI. UHV's Jacob Mendoza tapped two hits for his team.

Nicholas Campos (FR/Humble, Texas) was assessed the loss after he entered in relief of Hackett with the game tied at two. Two runs scored to take the game to 4-2 and Jordan Seifert (FR/Houston, Texas) came in to close out the game, allowing one run.

UHV's Orlando Quiroga pitched six innings allowing two hits. Nathan Falkenstine pitched in relief and allowed one hit while striking out five in 10 at bats.

UHV's offense took control of the second game right at the beginning after scoring three runs on OLLU starter Chad Leatherwood (FR/La Porte, Texas). The Saints committed two errors to include a misplayed grounder by Simmons and a wild throw by Leatherwood.

The second inning did not fare well for the Saints either. With Rick Garcia Jr. (FR/Katy, Texas) on the mound for the Saints, UHV's Jacob Mendoza, Dylan Blaha and Kyle Bludau scored. OLLU's Carlos Becera came in to pitch with the bases loaded. UHV's Joshua Ledesma walked and drove in Joshua Booth, and the inning ended with the Jaguars taking a 7-0 lead.

The Saints were finally able to put a run on the scoreboard in the third inning. Emanuel Sanchez (JR/Catano, Puerto Rico) doubled to left field. A groundout from Tyler Davis sent Sanchez to third base, and he stole home on a wild throw from UHV pitcher Andrew Walker.

In the fourth inning, OLLU's Austin Gallego (JR/Bryan, Texas) walked to first, and Patton singled to left field. Sanchez reached base on an error by UHV's Victor Coronado. Davis singled to left to drive in Gallego and Patton. Sanchez also scored on a UHV error and the inning ended with the Jaguars leading 7-4.

OLLU's Max Cunningham (FR/Grand Prairie, Texas) replaced Becera on the mound in the fifth inning, and the Jaguars added two more runs to lead 9-4.

The game remained 9-4 through the end of seven innings and the game.

Sanchez led the Saints in hitting with two hits and two runs. Davis added two RBIs. UHV's Joshua Booth led his team with three runs.

Leatherwood took the loss for the Saints after he allowed three hits and three runs in five at bats.

Winning pitcher Walker allowed seven hits, four runs on 24 at bats.

COMMENTS FROM HEAD COACH FREDDY RODRIGUEZ: "I liked the way the team competed today although we fell short in both games. We have to eliminate the free passes and errors on the pitching and defensive side and make adjustments in our at-bats. We weren't aggressive at the plate today and we look to make improvements tomorrow. We must relax and play with confidence moving forward."

The Saints will return to the field on Saturday, Feb. 7 to play another doubleheader against UHV. Game times are at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m.