Jags ranked among best in region

The first-year University of Houston-Victoria Jaguars softball team was ranked the fourth best in its 18-team region by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics on Monday.

The Jaguars, coached by former Lady Ricebird Keri Kubala Lambeth, are now in the running for the national Top 25 ratings that will be released today.

"I've been saying for months, 'You've got to beat the best to be the best,'" Lambeth said. "We've beaten the best, and now we're listed among the best."

The 19-12 Jaguars defeated topranked Oklahoma City University (5- 3, 12-7) on Sunday while playing in the Gulf Coast Invitational Tournament, which invites teams rated in the Top 25 preseason ratings. The Jaguars brought home the Consolation Gold Championship.

The regional rating also moves the team one step closer toward a bid for the regional championship tournament, Lambeth said. Such a bid would put the Jags in the running for the national NAIA title.

As an independent team not tied to a specific conference, the Jags are hoping for one of only two at-large bids in the region to be able to enter the competition for the championship.