SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - The University of the Incarnate Word softball team fell just short of a series sweep of visiting #2 West Texas A&M after falling in the finale 4-3 at Cardinals Field on Saturday. (Box Score)

The Cardinals (27-16, 10-8 LSC) got off to a good start by putting up two runs in the first inning.  With two outs Victoria Silva (San Antonio/Brandeis) reached base after she hit a slow roller down the first base line that took a weird bounce over the glove of the first baseman. Two runs scored on the play after an errant throw followed the infield hit. 

The Lady Buffs (31-6, 13-5 LSC) even things up in the third inning when Alyssa Lemos got the first of her two RBI's on a double to left field which scored Meghan Slattery.  Lemos came around to score when Renee Erwin reached first on an infield single.  The Lady Buffs took the lead in the fourth inning when Slattery bunted home Lacey Seidl.  

The 3-2 lead did not last long for the Lady Buffs.  Kim Hanson (Devine/Devine) blasted her sixth home run of the season leading off the fourth inning to tie the game at three. 

Lemos got her second RBI of the game in the sixth inning when she singled to left field driving home the eventual game winner.  The Cardinals had a shot in the seventh inning when Ashley Freeman reached base on a single up the middle.  Melanie Padilla had a shot to be the hero for a second day in a row, but with two outs she flied out to right field to end the game.

West Texas A&M avoided the sweep and sits alone in second place in the Lone Star Conference.  The Cardinals currently sit in a tie for fifth place. 

Briana Sanchez picked up the loss for the Cardinals going 7.0 innings and striking out nine.  Sanchez pitched 16.0 innings and struck out 21 batters over the weekend.  Adriana Garcia got the win for the Lady Buffs going 6.1 innings giving up just one run. 

The Cardinals will return to action on Tuesday as they host Texas A&M-Kingsville in a double-header at 2:00 PM at Cardinals Field. 
####
pr13269smm