After losing to Texas Woman's University three times during the regular season, the Cardinals weren't about to let it happen it again when it mattered most – in the Lone Star Conference Championship.  With five runs in the first two innings, UIW had an early lead on TWU that the Pioneers would never come back from.
 
Short stop Ashley Freeman got the game off to a great start with a huge double.  With an advance to third off center fielder Mallory Henry's sacrifice bunt, Freeman was in the perfect position to be drove in off a single from left fielder Sarah O'Brien.  Ahead by one, a double from designated player Lea Padilla and a single from third baseman Monica Acuna would be enough for two more UIW runs.  At the end of the first, the Cardinals were up 3-0.
 
With the bases loaded in the second inning, a single from Padilla gave her two RBIs and gave the Cardinals two more runs on the scoreboard.  With five runs after two innings, the Cardinals were on fire and led the Pioneers 5-0.
 
While the first two innings were great for the Cardinals, there wouldn't be any more scoring for UIW for the rest of the game.  The UIW defense would hold TWU to a mere one run in the fourth inning, however, and secure the game with a four run lead.  TWU not only got their first and only run in the fourth inning; before then, they hadn't recorded a hit either. 
 
After losing to the Pioneers every time they played them during the regular conference season, nothing could be sweeter than beating them and moving on to the semi-finals in the conference championship.
 
Pitching for UIW was junior Briana Sanchez. After allowing just five hits and one run, Sanchez improved her record to 16-10.
 
The Cardinals will face Midwestern State in the semi-final game of the LSC championship tomorrow at noon.  The Cardinals met up with the Mustangs three times during the regular season and went 1-2.a
 
Incarnate Word......   320 000 0 -  5  8  1
Texas Woman's....... 000 100 0 -  1  5  2
 
E - M. Acuna(10); B. Vrazel(8); K. Williams(4). DP - UIW 1. LOB - UIW 9; TWU 7. 2B - A. Freeman(2); L. Padilla(8). 3B - A. Staley(3). HBP - T. Weise. SH - M. Henry 2(9); C. Muskopf(8). SB - B. Vrazel(75).
 
Win - B. Sanchez (16-10). Loss - K. Hines (18-5). Save - None. HBP - by B. Sanchez (T. Weise). Pitches/strikes: B. Sanchez 107/78; K. Hines 29/18; L. Garcia 109/63.