SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word softball team could not overcome a 4-run fourth inning by Iowa State in an 8-4 loss on Friday at Roadrunner Field in the first game of the UTSA Tournament.

The Cardinals (1-10) had built up a 3-1 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth inning thanks to some timely hitting and solid pitching.  Alex Zepeda (Sinton/Sinton HS) and Lindsey Hood (San Antonio/Smithson Valley HS) each had two-out run scoring singles in the second and third innings, respectively.  In the top of the fourth, Kristin Hebert (Humble/Atascocita HS) helped her own cause with a solo home run.  She also had allowed just one hit and one unearned run through three innings.

The Cyclones (7-2) broke out in the bottom of the fourth inning.  They opened the inning with a pair of singles.  After a sacrifice bunt, Kelsey McFarland drove in a run and that was followed by a Brittany Gomez triple to bring in two more runs.  Gomez later scored on a ground out to finish off the damage.

Iowa State tacked on two runs in the fifth inning on a two-run homer by Jorden Spendlove.  Each team scored in the sixth, but the Cardinals were unable to come back in the seventh.
UIW finished the game with eight hits and two errors.  Hebert was 3-for-3 at the plate with two RBI's and her first home run of the season.  Zepeda finished 2-of-3 at the plate.  Hebert took the loss after allowing seven hits, six earned run and two walks in 4.1 innings.

Iowa State tallied 10 hits and did not commit an error in the game.  Four players had two hits apiece with Spendlove and Maddie Reese each hitting home runs.

The Cardinals are back in action on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. when they play tournament host UTSA.
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