Javelina softball spring semester season opener

Head coach Nicholson gets his 100th win, and schedule changes due to weather

Softball is back for the Javelinas this year, with two season opening matchups against San Angelo State and St. Mary’sboth going in favor to the Javelinas.

The 4-2 victory over the Rambelles and the 2-0 victory over the Rattlers not only give the TAMUK ladies a 2-0 start to the season for the third consecutive season, but it also gives reason to congratulate coach Craig Nichol- son on reaching the 100-win mark in his tenure here as the head coach for the Lady Javelinas.

“I didn’t even know honestly,” Nicholson said of the 100th win. “But that just shows the direction this program is going in. That many wins in four years and off the backend of a shortened COVID season, it says a lot.”

Although nonchalant, Nicholson is looking forward to more nights like these to add to his win total and his team’s over- all success.

The wins on Saturday night in San Antonio came off recent Lone Star Conference rankings that have the squad ranked fifth in the conference despite being stacked with four All-LSC first-team performers and the dominance of the 2019 campaign not too far gone from memory.

Although the ranking is a bit suspect, pitcher Breanna Smith assures that it won’t make a difference, “As a team we didn’t let it get to us but instead we let it motivate us to get better and come out on top.”

The team has the goal of another cham- pionship berth just like in 2019.

Unfortunately, due to subfreezing temperatures across the state of Arkansas, the McGhee-Hawkins Softball Invitational has been cancelled, scratching off five games for the Lady Javelinas scheduled for last weekend.

This was only a weather issue and no COVID activity is responsible for the cancellation.

Coach Nicolson is not phased however by the cancellation.

“The thing about outdoor sports is we are used to weather and schedule changes being a factor. Yeah, we had hopes to play this week but we will make changes to keep ourselves ready,” he said.

Changes are already being set with a matchup in the works against now ranked No. 1 Southern Arkansas Feb. 18 in preparation for the Hampton Inn Classic the next day which will showcase the softball team in two games on Friday, two on Saturday, and then a final game on Sunday.

For more updates on softball keep up on twitter @TAMUKSB and visit Javelinaathletics.com for more information.