SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word softball team had their four-game winning streak snapped by visiting Nicholls State University on Friday in the first game of a doubleheader, 5-4, but they bounced right back to win the second game, 5-4 at Cardinals Field.
In the first game it was one big inning for the Colonels (23-16, 9-8) that turned the tide of Southland Conference matchup. The Colonels trailed the Cardinals (9-30, 3-14), 2-1 heading into the top of the sixth inning when they plated four runs. UIW misplayed a sacrifice bunt attempt that allowed the first run to score. Danielle Phillips slapped an infield single to claim the lead and then Kristen Ahearn cracked a two-run double to make it 5-2.
The Cardinals pulled close in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Shelbi Swenson (Elgin/Elgin HS) led off with a double and scored on
Danielle Ramirez's (San Antonio/Marshall HS) single up the middle. Ramirez stole second, went to third on a ground out and scored on a wild pitch to make it 5-4.
Jackie Johnson earned the win for Nicholls tossing 6.0 innings while allowing six hits, four runs and three walks. Hannah Haydel pitched a perfect seventh to earn her second save of the year. Phillips and Jessica Taylor each had three hits for the team.
Kristin Hebert (Humble/Atascocita HS) took the loss for UIW after allowing 12 hits and five runs in 7.0 innings. Swenson went 2-for-2 at the plate while
Natali Duron (Pasadena/Memorial HS) drove in two runs with a single.
The Cardinals turned the tables in the second game. A three-run homer by Swenson in the first inning gave the team a lead they would not relinquish. Nicholls scored once in the first and once in the second on a solo homer by Kimmie Rodriguez.
The score remained 3-2 until the fifth inning.
Brooke DuBois (Pearland/Pearland HS) record base by an error and later scored on a two-out single by
Alex Zepeda (Sinton/Sinton HS). UIW tacked on another run in the sixth inning on a two-out single by Hebert.
The Cardinals ran into a little trouble in the seventh inning as the Colonels made a late comeback bid. Jessica Taylor drove in two runs with a two-out single, but DuBois was able to buckle down and get the final out to secure the complete game victory. DuBois allowed 11 hits, five walks and three earned runs while striking out two.
UIW tallied 10 hits and five runs against Haydel.
Taylor Johnson (Schertz/Clemens HS) slapped three hits and scored a run after having her 15-game hitting streak ended in the first game. Zepeda added a pair of hits as well.
Payton Gremillion had three hits for the Colonels while Haley Parkerson, Haley Stevenson and Taylor each had two hits. The two teams will conclude their series on Saturday with one game at 1 p.m.
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