ARLINGTON, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word softball team lost the opening game of the Maverick Invitational, 13-4 to host UT-Arlington at Allen Saxe Field.

The Cardinals (1-5) jumped out to an early lead, but the Mavericks (5-1) took control of the game with a three-run homer in the fourth inning and grand slam in the fifth inning to end the game.
UIW opened the scoring in the top of the first inning with a sacrifice fly and a two-out, run-scoring single by Alexandria Alonzo (San Antonio/Smithson Valley HS).  In the bottom of the first, Meagan Michele tied the game with a two-out, two-run single for the Mavs.  UTA took the lead in the third inning when they scored three times, all with two outs.

The Cardinals pulled to within 5-4 in the top of the fourth inning when Katie Helm (New Braunfels/Canyon HS) smacked a two-run homer to the opposite field.  The Mavs took control of the game when Shelbi Sikes cracked a 3-run homer in the fourth and Mya Anderson crushed a grand slam in the fifth inning to end the game.

Kayla Donaldson earned the win for the Mavs by pitching 4.0 innings while allowing four hits and two earned runs.  Kristin Hebert (Humble/Atascocita HS) was tagged with the loss for the Cardinals.  UTA had 11 hits and drew six walks in the game.  Anderson was 3-for-3 with four RBI's and three runs scored while Nina Villanueva was 2-for-2 with two walks and four runs scored.

The Cardinals are back in action on Friday for a pair of games.  They play Ohio State at 12:30 p.m. and then play UTA at 5 p.m.
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