HAMMOND, LOUISIANA – The University of the Incarnate Word softball team dropped a third straight 1-run game on the road to Southland Conference rival Southeastern Louisiana on Sunday, 5-4 in nine innings.

Unlike Saturday's doubleheader, the Cardinals (3-20, 0-6) jumped out to the early lead.  They scored three unearned runs in the top of the first inning thanks to three errors by the Lions (10-15, 5-1).  UIW added another run in the top of the second inning when Alex Zepeda (Sinton/Sinton HS) drove in Kellen Robles (San Antonio/Smithson Valley HS) with a two-out single.

The Lions got into the game with a run in the bottom of the second inning thanks to an RBI double from Megan Moore.  The score remained 4-1 UIW until the bottom of the fourth inning when Sloan Jenkins tied the score with one swing of the bat.  Her two-out, three-run home run tied the game at 4-4.

The Cardinals did not threaten to score in regulation while the Lions loaded the bases in the fifth and put a runner on third in the sixth inning, but could not score.  Each team went down in order in the eighth inning.  In the ninth, Robles singled and stole second with one out, but the Cardinals could not bring her home.  SLU opened the inning with back-to-back singles and a sacrifice bunt.  Kinsey Nicholls won the game with a single to bring in the winning run.

The Cardinals finished with seven hits in the game.  Taylor Johnson (Schertz/Clemens HS) and Christy Trevino (San Antonio/Brandeis HS) each had two hits to lead the offense.  Brooke DuBois (Pearland/Pearland HS) took a no-decision in the circle tossing 6.1 innings while allowing four runs.  Kristin Hebert (Humble/Atascocita HS) was handed the loss after allowing three hits and one run in 2.0 innings.

The Lions had 10 hits in the game with four players each recording two safeties.  Taylor Bishop earned the win by tossing 7.0 scoreless innings of relief.  She allowed four hits and one walk while striking out five.

The Cardinals are in action on Friday at home for the first time this year when they play a doubleheader against Lamar at 2 p.m.
####
pr15195smm