The Cardinals kicked off their last home series of the season with a double header against Tarleton State.  After some crucial errors and a bad fifth inning, UIW dropped the first game to the Texanns 8-4.  Turning things around with early scoring in the second game, UIW beat Tarleton 4-2.
 
A rain delay had the first game of the double header starting an hour and half later than scheduled, but that didn't seem to phase the Cardinals at first.  The first two innings, while the Cardinals didn't score, their defense kept Tarleton off the board as well.
 
A big third inning would give the Texanns an early lead that the Cardinals would be chasing for the remainder of the game.  A run followed by a two run homer by Tarleton first baseman Katie Welborn would put the Texanns up 3-0 after the top of the third.
 
UIW would rally in the bottom of the third and get two of those runs back after a two run bomb from third baseman Monica Acuna.  Acuna leads the Cardinals in home runs with eight.  After shutting out Tarleton in the fourth, a single from short stop Ashley Freeman would drive in pinch runner Taylor Johnson for the tying score.
 
The fifth inning didn't hold as many bright spots for UIW.  Both of UIW's fielding errors came in the fifth inning.  After a double from Tarleton short stop Arianna Rodriguez and a crucial fielding error off a Texann bunt, the Cardinals had their backs against the walls and Tarleton was on a roll.  The Texanns would score five runs on four hits in the fifth and extend their lead to 8-3. 
 
It appeared that the Cardinals were going to make another run for it when designated played Lea Padilla hit her sixth home run of the season.  But three quick outs after that would end the game.
 
Cardinal pitcher Briana Sanchez allowed nine hits and eight runs in the UIW loss.  Sanchez is now 15-10.
 
Down a game and upset over the loss, the Cardinals came out with a vengeance in the second game.  Three quick outs in the top of the first put them up to bat with a chance to take the lead, and that's exactly what they did.  A single from Freeman and a successful bunt from center fielder Mallory Henry put UIW in scoring position.  When Henry stole second, their chances got greater.  A ground out from Padilla would leg in Freeman and Acuna's single to right field would drive in Henry for a 2-0 UIW lead.
 
The game would be quiet for the next two innings and then the Texanns would make their move.  A throwing error in the top of the fourth would start the inning poorly for the Cardinals and, two runs later, they would end the inning tied with Tarleton 2-2.
 
Just one inning later, with Freeman on base, left fielder Sarah O'Brien would crush one over center field for a two run homer; giving the Cardinals a 4-2 lead after the fifth.
 
The Cardinal defense would end the sixth inning with a pick off started by catcher Shelby Waltrip and would keep the Texanns scoreless going into the bottom of the inning.  With two runners on and two outs, Cardinal first baseman Kim Hanson looked to further the UIW lead with a home run of her own before Tarleton center fielder Abigail Tammen snatched the ball from right over the center field wall.
 
With Tarleton runners on first and second, the Cardinals closed the game with a 4-2 lead.
 
UIW pitcher Whitney Waltrip pitched the entire game for the Cardinals and allowed six hits and two runs.  Waltrip is now 10-12.
 
The Cardinals will take on the Texanns in the final game of their series and their last home game of the season tomorrow at noon.
 
GAME ONE
 
Tarleton State......   003 050 0 -  8  9  3
Incarnate Word...... 002 100 1 -  4  8  2
 
E - A. Rodriguez 2; K. Welborn; M. Padilla 2. LOB - TARLETON 5; UIW 8. 2B - A. Rodriguez; A. Tammen; H. Hancock; C. Muskopf(3). HR - K. Welborn; L. Padilla(6); M. Acuna(8). SH - A. Orf. SB - A. Freeman 2(9).
 
Win - S. Swanda (16-8). Loss - B. Sanchez (15-10). Save - None. WP - S. Swanda; B. Sanchez. Pitches/strikes: S. Swanda 114/75; B. Sanchez 134/88.
 
GAME TWO
 
Tarleton State......   000 200 0 -  2  6  0
Incarnate Word...... 200 020 X -  4  7  2
 
E - A. Freeman; W. Waltrip. LOB - TARLETON 6; UIW 5. 2B - A. Orf. HR - S. O'Brien(5). HBP - A. Rodriguez; M. Padilla. SH - E. Freitas; S. O'Brien.
 
Win - W. Waltrip (10-12). Loss - R. Fentress (14-7). Save - None. HBP - by R. Fentress (M. Padilla); by W. Waltrip (A. Rodriguez). Pitches/strikes: R. Fentress 95/63; W. Waltrip 92/61.