The Cardinals began their weekend series against Angelo State University with a double-header Friday afternoon at Cardinal Field.  With a conference record of 10-2, the Rambelles were going to be tough to beat.  After a heartbreaking 7-1 loss in game one, the Cardinals grabbed a 3-2 win in game two.
 
After three scoreless innings in the first game, the Rambelles broke through the scoring barrier with two runs at the top of the fourth.  The Cardinals wouldn't counter those runs in the bottom of the fourth and ASU would add another one off center fielder Lauren Smith's homer.
 
Going into the bottom of the fifth, UIW was down 3-0 and needed to make their way onto the scoreboard.  After a quick out, UIW catcher Shelby Waltrip was walked, but an ASU double play right after that ended the fifth inning and kept the Cardinals scoreless.
 
After two quick ASU strikeouts and a fly in the beginning of the sixth inning, UIW was up to bat and, still down 3-0, appeared ready to catch the Rambelles.  Short stop Ashley Freeman started the Cardinals off with a huge triple to center field.  With a runner on third, center fielder Mallory Henry stepped up to bat and with a bunt up the middle, beat the throw and landed herself on first.
 
Freeman made her way for home and after passing the plate, was tagged by the catcher in what became the most controversial call of the game. After being ruled out by the home plate umpire, Coach Todd Bradley was clearly upset.  After some words with the umpires, Bradley was asked to leave the field. 
 
With their coach now gone, the Cardinals were still down 3-0.  Right fielder Alex Yarbrough hit a single that drove in Henry for UIW's first score of the game.  After Yarbrough, second baseman Melanie Padilla hit a single as well.  With runners on first and second, third baseman Monica Acuna stepped up to the plate and drove the ball down the left field line. Unfortunately, this ball was picked up by the ASU third baseman and resulted in a force out.
 
After closing the gap in the sixth inning, the Cardinal defense quickly got two outs in the top of the seventh before ASU second baseman Shana Tafiti hit a double that drove in two ASU runs. Her double was followed by two more doubles and two more ASU runs. UIW pitcher Briana Sanchez ended the inning with a strike out, but the Cardinals were now down 7-1.
 
Unfortunately, the Cardinals couldn't rally and fell to the Rambelles in the first game 7-1.
 
Sanchez is now 13-6 and allowed 10 hits and seven runs.
 
Unlike the first game, the second game of the double header did not remain scoreless until the third inning.  The Rambelles came out strong and scored a run in the first and second inning.  A Cardinal error led to the run in the first.
 
Everything changed for the Cardinals in the fourth inning. After singles from center fielder Taylor Johnson and designated player Lea Padilla, the Cardinals had runners on first and second and no outs.  Yarbrough stepped up to bat and reached on an error by ASU first baseman.  With the bases loaded, Shelby Waltrip, pinch hitting for UIW, slammed on to right field and drove in all three runners.  The Cardinals would end the inning with their first lead of the night and a score of 3-2.
 
Both teams would remain scoreless for the rest of the game and the Cardinals would take the second game 3-2.  UIW pitcher Whitney Waltrip improved her record to 7-7. She allowed two hits and two runs.
 
The 20-13 Cardinals are 7-7 in the Lone Star Conference and will take on ASU one more time tomorrow, March 31, at noon.
 
GAME ONE
 
Angelo State........   000 210 4 -  7 10  0
Incarnate Word...... 000 001 0 -  1  9  0
 
DP - ASU 2. LOB - ASU 6; UIW 6. 2B - D. Tafiti; E. Apo; A. Breshears. 3B - A. Freeman(5). HR - L. Smith. HBP - D. Tafiti; S. O'Brien. SB - L. Smith; A. Freeman(7). CS - L. Smith; M. Henry.
 
Win - M. McKay (13-3). Loss - B. Sanchez (13-6). Save - None. HBP - by B. Sanchez (D. Tafiti); by M. McKay (S. O'Brien).
 
GAME TWO
 
Angelo State........   110 000 0 -  2  2  2
Incarnate Word...... 000 300 0 -  3  5  2
 
E - A. Breshears; C. Walters; A. Freeman 2. DP - UIW 1. LOB - ASU 4; UIW 4. 2B - A. Wilhelm. SH - W. Waltrip. SB - L. Smith; C. Walters 2. CS - L. Smith.
 
Win - W. Waltrip (7-7). Loss - C. Molina (15-4). Save - None.