SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – Despite a heroic pitching performance by Kristin Hebert (Humble/Atascocita HS) the University of the Incarnate Word softball team lost to UTSA on the road, 4-3 at Roadrunner Field on Wednesday afternoon.

The Roadrunners (23-28) scored twice in the first inning on a two-run homer by Vivian Tijerina and then added two more runs in the second inning on a two run single by Courtney Buchman.

The Cardinals (20-29) brought in Hebert with two outs in the second inning and she proceeded to toss 4.1 no-hit innings of relief. She had two walks and struck out four in a no-decision.

UIW scored an unearned in the first inning. They put runners in scoring position in the second and fourth innings, but did not score again until the fifth inning. The Cardinals loaded the bases with no outs and then scored when Alex Zepeda (Sinton/Sinton HS) was hit by a pitch to force in a run. After two outs were recorded, the Cardinals scored again when Katie Helm (New Braunfels/Canyon HS) was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

The Cardinals were able to put the tying run in scoring position in both the sixth and seventh innings, but could not score.

Nicole Merrill was credited with the win for UTSA after tossing 2.0 scoreless innings of relief. She did not allow a hit, but walked four while striking out three. Brooke DuBois (Pearland/Pearland HS) took the loss for UIW allowing four hits and four runs in 1.2 innings.

Each team registered only four hits in the game and no one on either team had more than one hit. The Cardinals did walk seven times and were hit by three pitches.

The Cardinals head to Abilene Christian this weekend for their final three games of the season. They will play at doubleheader at 2 p.m. on Saturday and close the year on Sunday with a single game at 1 p.m.

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