Taking a break from their conference schedule, the Cardinals faced Texas A&M International for a second time this season.  After sweeping the Dustdevils in a double header at home earlier in the season, UIW hoped to do it again at their place.  With an 8-4 win in game one, they were well on their way.  Unfortunately, TAMIU rallied for a 7-4 win in game two.
 
Game one was scoreless until the fourth inning.  With a huge fourth inning, the Cardinals scored first and made sure the Dustdevils wouldn't be able to catch them. With runners on first and second, second baseman Melanie Padilla hit a double to left field and drove in the Cardinals' first run of the game.  With a one run lead, third baseman Monica Acuna bombed one over the fence for a three-run homer.  With that, UIW led the Dustdevils 4-0.
 
The Cardinals would score another two runs in the fifth inning and one run in both the sixth and seventh.  UIW kept TAMIU scoreless until the sixth inning; that would be their big inning.  With a grand slam from left fielder Desiree Ramos, the Dustdevils earned a quick four runs. 
 
The Cardinals wouldn't allow anymore TAMIU runs in the seventh and would end the game ahead 8-4.  UIW opening pitcher Briana Sanchez would obtain another win for her book, improving her record to 13-6.   Sanchez allowed seven hits and four runs in the UIW win.
 
The Cardinals just needed one more win to beat the Dustdevils for the fourth time this season and a complete sweep.  With six runs in the first two innings of the second game, however, UIW was never able to bounce back and close the deal.
 
TAMIU drove in two runs in the first inning and a three run homer by first baseman Regina Morales led to a 6-0 Dustdevil lead at the end of the second.  The Cardinals were unable to score until the third inning when first baseman Kim Hanson hit a huge homerun and lifted UIW spirits.
 
The Cardinals would score again in the fourth and a two run home run by short stop Ashley Freeman would give the Cardinals some fight in the seventh.  Unfortunately, the TAMIU defense would stop UIW at four runs and finished the game with a 7-4 win.
 
UIW pitcher Whitney Waltrip pitched the entire game for the Cardinals and allowed 14 hits and seven runs.  Waltrip is now 6-7.
 
UIW will be home for three conference games this weekend against Angelo State University.  Friday's doubleheader will start at 4 p.m. and Saturday's game will begin at noon.
 
GAME ONE
 
Incarnate Word...... 000 421 1 -  8 10  0
Texas A&M Intnl..... 000 004 0 -  4  7  1
 
E - Deleon. LOB - UIW 7; A&M Intl. 6. 2B - W. Waltrip; M. Padilla; Al. Gonzalez. HR - M. Acuna(5); Ramos(1). HBP - C. Muskopf. SH - M. Padilla 2; Salazar. SB - M. Henry.
 
Win - B. Sanchez (13-6). Loss - Zamorano (0-2). Save - None. HBP - by Zamorano (C. Muskopf).
 
GAME TWO
 
Incarnate Word...... 001 100 2 -  4  7  1
Texas A&M Intnl..... 240 001 X -  7 14  1
 
E - K. Hanson; LaBuhn. LOB - UIW 5; A&M Intl. 9. 2B - A. Yarbrough; Al. Gonzalez; Carrillo. HR - A. Freeman(1); K. Hanson(3); Morales(7). SH - LaBuhn. SB - Nash.
 
Win - Gallardo (3-7). Loss - W. Waltrip (6-7). Save - None. WP - Morales.