SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The Incarnate Word softball team split their two games on day two of the St. Mary's University Invitational. The Cardinals took down Southeastern Oklahoma, 8-1 before falling to Texas A&M-International, 13-10. (Game 1, Game 2)

In game one of the day against Southeastern Oklahoma, the Cardinals (2-1) got on the board early putting up two runs in the first inning.  Monica Acuna (San Antonio/Holmes HS) drove in the first run on a sacrifice fly to right field.  The next batter, Shelby Waltrip (Orangevale, CA/Casa Robles HS), got her first RBI when she drove in run on a double to left field.  Incarnate Word added two runs in the second when Acuna and Waltrip both got easy RBI's as they were walked with the bases loaded. 

In the seventh inning, the Cardinals added some insurance runs when Whitney Waltrip (Orangevale, CA/Casa Robles HS) came inches short of a grand slam as she doubled off the center field wall and drove in two.  Waltrip eventually scored on a throwing error by the Savage Storm catcher.  Alex Zepeda (Sinton/Sinton HS) drove in the final run on a single up the middle. 

Briana Sanchez (San Antonio/Marshall HS) pitched a complete game for her first victory of the season. She gave up one run on five hits and struck out five. 

Shayna Milam took the loss for the Savage Storm after giving up two runs on two hits.  Milam was pulled after two-thirds of an inning. 

The Cardinals got off to a hot start again in game two against Texas A&M-International. UIW picked up three runs on four hits in the top of the first inning.  Kim Hanson (Devine/Devine HS) picked up two RBI's on a double after she smashed a line drive to left center field.  Kandace Patek (Magnolia/Tomball HS) got her first career RBI after she drove in one on a double to left field. 

Patek lasted just one-third of an inning in her first collegiate start giving up two runs and leaving the bases loaded for Whitney Waltrip who came in for relief. Waltrip gave up an addition four runs and the Cardinals could not recover.  The Dustdevils pounded in seven more runs to extend their lead and the Cardinals were playing catch up the rest of the game.  UIW could not execute a comeback bid falling 13-10. 

The Cardinals pounded out 18 hits in the game.  Ashley Freeman (Canyon Lake/Smithson Valley HS) went 4-for-5 with four runs scored, two RBI's and a stolen base.  Hanson and Acuna each finished with three hits apiece.  Hanson drove in four runs.

The Cardinals will resume action in the last day of the tournament tomorrow as they take on Lubbock Christian and St. Edward's. 
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