SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – In their first home series of the season, the University of the Incarnate Word softball team swept Colorado Christian University in a non-conference doubleheader on Saturday, 5-0 and 3-2 at Cardinals Field. (Game 1, Game 2)

All of the action in game one took place in the first inning.  After keeping the Cougars (1-7) scoreless in the top of the inning, the Cardinals (9-4) got things started with a single from sophomore center fielder Taylor Johnson (Schertz/Clemens HS).  Two batters later, senior second baseman Melanie Padilla (San Antonio/Marshall HS) brought Johnson in with a single.  A bomb to right field by senior left fielder Alex Yarborough (Boerne/Boerne HS) cleared the bases with a three-run double.  Yarborough would advance home on an error from the CCU first baseman and that would end the Cardinals scoring.

Both the Cardinals and the Cougars would remain scoreless for the remainder of the game.  Junior pitcher Whitney Waltrip (Orangevale, CA/Casa Robles HS) picked up a win for the Cardinals and while allowing only three hits in the shutout. With the win, Waltrip improved her record to 3-3.   

Genevive Reyna (0-3) pitched the entire first game for the Cougars, allowing four hits and five runs.

In the second game, the Cougars scored first, picking up two runs in the top of the first inning.  While they would keep the Cardinals scoreless until the fourth, a double from freshman third baseman Courtney McCoy (Hutto/Hendrickson HS) would bring in two runs, leaving the game tied at two.

In the bottom of the sixth, Waltrip hit a double to center field to get the Cardinals started.  A single from Yarborough two batters later would score Waltrip, giving UIW their first lead of the game.  That run would be enough to seal the deal for the Cardinals.

After keeping CCU scoreless in the top of the seventh, the Cardinals would walk away with their second win of the day, leaving them undefeated at home, 2-0.

Freshman pitcher Kandace Patek (Magnolia/Tomball HS) started the game for the Cardinals, but was relieved by senior Briana Sanchez (San Antonio/Marshall HS) in the fourth inning.  Patek allowed seven hits and two runs in the game.  Sanchez (5-0) was credited with the win and allowed just one hit and no runs while striking out six in 4.0 innings.

Pitching for the Cougars, Mariah Bledsoe (1-3) allowed six hits and three runs in a complete game.

The Cardinals will take a rather lengthy break before resuming play on March 6 in a doubleheader against the Hilltoppers of St. Edwards at 4:00 p.m. at home.
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