After being swept by the Lady Buffs of West Texas A&M last night, the Cardinals returned to Lady Buff Yard to play the final game of the road series.  This game had a very different for UIW.  Scoring first, the Cardinals grasped an early lead and held on to it, defeating the #24 Lady Buffs 6-3.
 
The first two innings held nothing special for either team.  Not until the third inning did scoring start and today, it was UIW on the board first.  UIW right fielder Taylor Johnson got things started with a single to third base and advanced to second on a throwing error.  Shortly after that, Johnson stole third and, with no outs, was in perfect scoring position.  Shortstop Ashley Freeman got the job done and earned an RBI with a ground out to first base that drove Johnson in.
 
The Cardinals started the fourth inning with a 1-0 lead on WTAMU.  Third baseman Monica Acuna extended that lead with a bomb over left field and her sixth homer of the season.
 
Going into the fifth, the Cardinals still had the Lady Buffs scoreless.  Freeman began the inning with a huge triple and was legged in by Acuna; giving UIW a 3-0 lead.  While the Cardinals wouldn't score in the sixth, they wouldn't let WTAMU score either, entering the final inning of the game with a solid 3-0 lead.
 
UIW pitcher Briana Sanchez didn't allow a hit until the fifth inning and would engd the game only allowing three.
 
With two quick outs at the top of the seventh, it didn't look like the Cardinals would be doing too much more scoring.  After singles by second baseman Melanie Padilla and pinch hitter Shelby Waltrip, however, UIW was making it look possible.  With two on base and a homer to center field, catcher Sarah Holub extended the UIW lead to 6-0.
 
The Lady Buffs didn't go down with out a fight.  With two hits and three runs in the seventh, they halved the UIW lead, but weren't able to catch up completely.
 
The road win improved the Cardinals record to 21-16 overall.
 
UIW will continue their road streak with a game against Texas A&M-Kingsville on Tuesday, April 10.  The game will start at 4 p.m.
 
Incarnate Word...... 001 110 3 -  6 11  0
West Texas A&M...... 000 000 3 -  3  3  2
 
E - R. Erwin; A. Spencer. LOB - UIW 9; WTAMU 11. 3B - A. Freeman; R. Erwin. HR - M. Acuna; S. Holub; L. Seidl. HBP - M. Padilla; R. Erwin; L. Seidl; A. Cranfill. SB - T. Johnson 2; M. Padilla; M. Slattery.
 
Win - B. Sanchez (14-7). Loss - A. Spencer (8-5). Save - None. WP - A. Spencer. HBP - by B. Sanchez (R. Erwin); by A. Spencer (M. Padilla); by B. Sanchez (L. Seidl); by B. Sanchez (A. Cranfill).