SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word softball team begins Southland Conference play this weekend against visiting Abilene Christian at Cardinals Field.  The teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday at 2 p.m. and a single game on Sunday at noon.

The Cardinals (11-15) won the season series from the Wildcats (10-15) in 2013 when both teams were members of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference.  Both schools have made the move to Division I this year.

The Cardinals are hitting .291 as a team with senior Whitney Waltrip leading the way with a .410 average.  Taylor Johnson and Alex Alonzo are tied for the team lead with 20 hits apiece and Alonzo has a team high 16 RBI's.  Mikaela Flores has been the most productive pitcher on the team with a 5-0 record and a 2.87 ERA.

The Wildcats are hitting .337 as a team and have been led as of late by Ashley Nolan who has an 11-game hitting streak.  Taylor Brown has also been swinging a hot bat going 14 for her last 18 at the plate.  Hannah Null leads the pitching staff with a 6-5 record and 2.64 ERA in 77.0 innings.
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