GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI – The University of the Incarnate Word softball team started the 2015 Mississippi Gulf Coast Softball Classic with a 7-5 victory over Jackson State and then lost 2-1 to Southern Miss on Friday at the Gulfport Sportsplex.

It was a sloppy first game of the tournament for the Cardinals (2-13) as they committed five errors.  They were able to overcome the defensive struggles with a solid offensive performance.  They took an early 1-0 lead on a Katie Helm (New Braunfels/New Braunfels HS) two-out single to score Alex Zepeda (Sinton/Sinton HS).

The Tigers (4-13) tied the game in the bottom of the third inning.  UIW exploded for six runs in the top of the fourth inning to take control of the contest. Alex Alonzo and Kristin Hebert (Humble/Atascocita HS) each had two-run doubles in the inning.

The Tigers tried to claw their way back into the game.  They scored twice in the fourth, once in the fifth and once more in the seventh inning.  They were able to send the potential tying run to the plate in the seventh, but Hebert was able to get the final two outs to secure the win.

Hebert tossed a complete game allowing nine hits, three earned runs and two walks while striking out four.  No one on the Cardinals had more than one hit, but Zepeda scored twice to lead the team.  Kelsey Townsend took the loss for Jackson State after allowing six hits and seven runs in 3.2 innings.  Lyndsey Colvin led the JSU offense going 2-for-3 with two runs, a double and an RBI.

The second game was a pitcher's duel between UIW's Brooke DuBois (Pearland/Pearland HS) and Southern Mississippi's Samantha Robles.  DuBois allowed two runs to the Golden Eagles in the top of the first inning then held them scoreless the rest of the way.  Similarly, Robles allowed a run and two hits in the bottom of the first inning only to hold the Cardinals without a hit the rest of the game.

Taylor Johnson (Schertz/Clemens HS) led off the bottom of the first with a single for the Cardinals and later came around to score on a ground ball.  The Cardinals had the bases loaded with two outs, but were unable to get the key hit.  UIW was able to put a runner in scoring position twice over the rest of the game, but could not find the tying run.

Robles pitched a complete game to earn the win for USM.  She allowed two hits, one run and two walks while striking out eight in the process.  DuBois also pitched a complete game allowing five hits, five walks and one earned run while striking out two.

The Cardinals close out the tournament on Saturday with a 10 a.m. game against Jackson State and a 12:30 p.m. game against Mississippi Valley State.
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