DENTON, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word softball season came to an end on Saturday night with a 3-0 loss to St. Mary's in the NCAA Division II South Central Region Site 1 Tournament at Pioneer Field on the campus of Texas Woman's University. (Box Score)

The Rattlers (44-14) left five runners on base in the first two innings before finally breaking through in the third inning.  Christina Rodriguez reached base on a one-out walk and pinch runner LeAnn Campos advanced to second on a passed ball.  She would score on Jared Gonzalez' single who advanced to second on the throw home.  Gonzalez scored on a throwing error after Haley Richter singled.

The Cardinals (30-26) were held in check by Emily Brittain who retired the first 12 batters she faced.  Monica Acuna (San Antonio/Holmes HS) broke up the perfect game with a single to lead off the fifth inning.

St. Mary's tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning on a solo home run by Alex Rodriguez.

The Cardinals threatened in the top of the seventh inning.  Acuna and Victoria Silva (San Antonio/Brandeis HS) each drew one out walks and then Tara Law (Round Rock/Round Rock HS) followed with a single to load the bases.  Relief pitcher Vianna Gutierrez settled down and struck out the final two batters of the game to earn the save.  Brittain pitched 6.0 shutout innings allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out six to earn the win.

Whitney Waltrip (Orangevale, CA/Casa Robles HS) started the game for the Cardinals and was tagged with the loss.  She allowed three hits, one earned run and four walks while striking out one in 2.1 innings.
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