AUSTIN, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word softball team traveled to St. Edward's on Friday afternoon and came away with a hard fought doubleheader sweep winning, 4-3 and 3-2, respectively at Diane Daniels Field. (Game 1, Game 2)

The Cardinals (7-4) got a pair of solid pitching performances from Whitney Waltrip (Orangevale, CA/Casa Robles HS) and Kandace Patek (Magnolia/Tomball HS) and some timely hitting to pull off the victories.  Waltrip picked up the victory in the first game and was credited with the save in the second game.  Patek nabbed the save in the first game and picked up the win in the second game.

In the first game, the Cardinals grabbed the lead in the top of the fourth inning.  Taylor Johnson (Schertz/Clemens HS) led off the inning with a double and came around to score on Ashley Freeman's (Canyon Lake/Smithson Valley HS) double.  Freeman scored later in the inning on a single by Shelby Waltrip (Orangevale, CA/Casa Robles HS).

The Hilltoppers (6-5) scored a run in the bottom of the fifth inning on a solo home run by Ally Valdez.  UIW responded with a solo home run in the sixth inning by Melanie Padilla (San Antonio/Marshall HS) and a solo shot by Whitney Waltrip in the seventh.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Hilltoppers put a scare into the Cardinals.  Valdez led off the inning with her second home run of the game and then after one out was recorded, Lauren Brode hit a pinch-hit home run.  UIW head coach Mandee Gamboa then went to the bullpen and brought in Patek retired the first batter she faced, gave up a single and then got the last out to earn her first career save.

Waltrip went 2-for-3 in the game with a home run at the plate.  In the circle, she went 6.1 innings allowing eight hits, three runs and two walks while striking out three to earn the win.
In the second game, the Cardinals scored in the top of the first inning without a hit.  Johnson was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a wild pitch.  She moved to third on a ground out and then scored on Padilla's sacrifice fly.  Brode tied the game in the bottom of the second inning with a solo homerun for the Hilltoppers.

UIW went back ahead in the top of the fourth inning on an RBI single by Courtney McCoy (Hutto/Hendrickson HS).

Patek appeared to be headed for a complete game victory for the Cardinals when Brode tied the game in the bottom of the seventh inning with her third home run of the day.

In the top of the eighth inning, the Cardinals responded when Kim Hanson (Devine/Devine HS) hit the third pitch she saw over the left centerfield wall for what proved to be the game-winning run.

Whitney Waltrip entered the game in the bottom of the eighth inning and retired the side in order to notch her first save of the year.  Patek went 7.0 innings allowing five hits, two runs and two walks while striking out one to earn the win.  Emily Mayfield was handed the loss for St. Edward's after allowing eight hits, three runs and a walk while striking out one in 8.0 innings.

Hanson, McCoy and Anna-Marie Moore (Aloha, OR/Aloha HS) combined for seven of the UIW's eight hits.  Hanson was 2-for-4 with two runs and a double and McCoy was 2-for-2 with an RBI and a walk.  Moore was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate.

The Cardinals are back in action on Saturday against Colorado Christian at noon at Cardinals Field.
####
pr13107smm