Softball Displays Resilience in Deep Tournament Run

TAMUT Softball celebrating at home plate after a homerun.
Photo by Kyleigh Kramel
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May 3, 2026

PINEVILLE, La. – The Texas A&M University–Texarkana softball team traveled to Pineville, Louisiana, to compete in the Red River Athletic Conference Championship, co-hosted by Louisiana Christian University and LSU Alexandria. Entering the eight-team, double-elimination tournament as the No. 3 seed with a 21-5 conference record, the Eagles put together a strong postseason showing, finishing 3-2 and advancing to the final day before their championship run came to a close.

Game 1: TAMUT 11, XULA 6

The Eagles' tournament opener came with its share of challenges, as weather forced a venue change and delayed play multiple times. After starting on Friday, the game was halted due to lightning and resumed Saturday.

When play settled, TAMUT made a statement with an 11-6 win over Xavier (La.). Kamryn Walker jumpstarted the offense with a two-run home run, while Grace Cantu delivered a standout performance, going 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs. Brooke Usrey also contributed multiple RBIs in the win.

The Eagles broke the game open in the sixth inning, scoring six runs on six hits, highlighted by Cantu's three-run blast and a two-RBI double from Usrey. Alexis Snyder earned the win, striking out six over five innings, while Rylee Glenn secured the save.

Game 2: TAMUT 2, OLLU 10

In a winner's bracket matchup against Our Lady of the Lake, TAMUT struck early with an RBI single from Walker and a solo home run by Madison Ruiz. However, OLLU used a six-run fifth inning to swing momentum and pull away for a 10-2 victory.

Ruiz's home run accounted for one of the Eagles' two runs, and despite tallying seven hits, TAMUT could not overcome the Saints' late surge.

Game 3: TAMUT 6, TAMUV 5

Facing elimination, the Eagles responded with resilience in a 6-5 win over A&M–Victoria. TAMUT set the tone early with a four-run first inning, fueled by RBIs from Ruiz, Cantu, and Presley Humphrey.

After TAMUV briefly took the lead in the fifth, Cantu delivered an RBI double to even the score. In the bottom of the seventh, Usrey came through with a walk-off RBI single to keep the Eagles' season alive.

Glenn played a key role in relief, allowing just one unearned run over the final 3.1 innings to earn the win.

Game 4: TAMUT 4, TAMUSA 3 (9 innings)

Saturday night delivered one of the Eagles' most thrilling wins of the season, as TAMUT defeated A&M–San Antonio, 4-3, in nine innings.

Skyler Martin gave the Eagles an early lead with an RBI single in the second inning, and TAMUT regained the advantage in the fifth behind a sacrifice fly from Walker and a Jaguar error. TAMUSA responded with two runs in the seventh to force extra innings.

In the ninth, Jaquelyn Schmidt ignited the rally before Victoria Clayton delivered the walk-off RBI double to left-center, sealing the victory. Glenn was dominant in relief once again, tossing three shutout innings while allowing just one hit.

Game 5: TAMUT 2, OLLU 7

With a quick turnaround, the Eagles returned to face OLLU but fell 7-2. The Saints capitalized early, scoring four runs in the first and adding three more in the second to take control.

TAMUT continued to battle, breaking through in the seventh as Walker recorded an RBI double and Ruiz followed with an RBI single. Despite the late push, the early deficit proved too much to overcome.

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Softball placed two Eagles on the RRAC All-Tournament Team: Kamryn Walker (SS/3B) and Grace Cantu (OF).

The Eagles close the weekend with a 3-2 record, showcasing resilience, timely hitting, and strong pitching throughout their run to the tournament's final day.

Texas A&M–Texarkana now awaits its postseason fate in the 2026 NAIA National Championship Selection Show, set for Wednesday, May 6 at 5 p.m. (CT).