A team splitting a doubleheader here, or taking three out of five games at weekend tournament there doesn't necessarily sound impressive; but all those wins add up.  For the Coastal Bend Cougar Softball team and first-year head coach Stephen Machorro, all of those wins have totaled up to the program record tieing amount of 13. 

With Region XIV South Division play set to open on Friday vs. San Jacinto College; CBC's 13 wins matches the entire total from last season.  This surge of success is coming from both the pitching rubber and the the batters box.  Currently, the Cougars are being led offensively by Aileen Rodriguez and her 23 hits and 16 runs scored.  Kathrina Rangel has racked up 14 RBIs and is second Region XIV South with five homeruns, while Jamie Morales leads the team and is among Region leaders with eight stolen bases.

As a team, the Cougars are hitting .241, have a slugging percentage of .378, launched 17 homeruns and plated 118 runs so far this season. "Our goal this season has been to attack offensively." stated Coach Machorro.  "We don't want to wait; we want to take the game to our opponent."  Machorro continued.  "It has been a growing experience for our ladies to learn a new style of play; but I like the direction things are going as we head into Region XIV South play this week."

From the rubber, Lydia Clarke has been dominate going 8-1 with 60 innings pitched, 5.25 strikeouts per game and a conference leading 1.28 ERA.  "Lydia has been a rock for us so far this season."  beamed Machorro; "And I think she is just going to get better as the season goes on."  "My goal during this portion of the season has been to gel our defensive plays and partnerships, and I think we are there," stated Machorro.

The season highlights thus far have included splitting with four-year college Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio; coming from behind in their final at bat twice to start the season, and most recently with a win over Murray State College, who then knocked off previously undefeated Tyler Junior College.

The Cougars will begin Region XIV South Division play this weekend when they host Pre-Season #13 ranked San Jacinto College on Friday for two games at 1:00 and 3:00 pm; then Blinn College on Saturday at 1:00 and 3:00 pm.  Both games will be played at the John R Beasley Sports Complex.