GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI – The University of Incarnate Word softball team continued their winning streak on Friday at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Classic with a 5-1 victory against IPFW, followed by a come-from-behind 5-4 win against Jackson State to give the Cardinals four wins in a row.
In the first game of the day, the Cardinals (5-8) were able to strike first in the top of the second inning after
Natali Duron (Pasadena/Pasadena Memorial HS) doubled to left field to score
Darianne Hale (Mesquite/Bishop Lynch HS) to give UIW the early 1-0 advantage. The Cardinals would carry the early momentum into the third inning, which started with a leadoff walk from
Danielle Ramirez (San Antonio/Marshall). Two batters later
Alex Alonzo (San Antonio/Smithson Valley HS) singled to right field to bring up Hale to the plate with one out and two runners on base. After taking two quick strikes, Hale blasted a three run shot over the left field fence for her third home run of the season and more importantly giving UIW a 4-0 lead.
IPFW scored their only run of the game in the bottom of the third inning when Amber Davis singled to left field driving in Emily Olszewski who led off the inning with a single to right field making the score 4-1 in favor of the Cardinals.
Victoria Bratcher (Colleyville/Colleyville Heritage HS) would finish the scoring in the top of the fourth inning after she singled to left field allowing
Kellen Robles (San Antonio/Smithson Valley HS) to advance to second and eventually score on the play after a throwing error on the Mastodons making the final score 5-1.
Bridget Stein (Brenham/Brenham HS) was brilliant in the pitching circle for the Cardinals. She went the full distance for her second complete game of the season and she also picked up her third victory. In 7.0 innings, Stein only allowed six hits and one earned run to go along with six strikeouts and one walk. For the Mastodons, Demitra Burns was charged with the loss dropping her record to 1-4 on the season after she went five innings giving up six hits and five runs, four of which were earned.
At the plate, Hale led the UIW offense going 2-for-4 with three RBI's and two runs scored from the cleanup position. Duron also had a good game at the plate with two hits and an RBI. As a team the Cardinals finished the contest with six total hits while adding three walks and leaving seven runners on base.
The second game of the doubleheader against Jackson State also started out well for UIW. After holding the Tigers scoreless in the top of the first inning, the Cardinals used a two out rally to score two runs thanks to a single by Hale to left field which scored Alonzo and
Brigitte Gauvin (Winnipeg, B.C./College Louis-Riel) who had back-to-back singles.
However, Jackson State responded with two runs in the second inning to tie the ballgame after a double by Queen Briggs scored both runs. The Tigers took the lead in the third inning after a sacrifice fly by Smith and they added another run in the fourth inning to take a 4-2 lead.
In the bottom of the seventh inning the Cardinals were able to put together a big rally. It all started after Duron was hit by a pitch with one out in the inning. Bratcher followed with a single to the pitcher and
Katie Helm (New Braunfels/Canyon HS) singled to load the bases.
Lacie Stevens (Houston/Stratford HS) pitch hit for Robles and she delivered a game tying single up the middle making the score, 4-4. The hero for UIW was Ramirez who had the game winning single which scored Helm and gave the Cardinals the 5-4 victory.
Hale started the game in the pitching circle for UIW and she struggled going just three innings while giving up six hits and four runs, three of which were earned.
Sarah Leal (Kyle/Hays HS) took over to start the fourth inning and she pitched very well going four innings and giving up two hits while striking out six batters to earn the win.
At the plate, Hale and Stevens led the team with two RBI's each and Ramirez also added an RBI. The team totaled eight hits and had six walks for the game while only striking out three times.
The Cardinals return to action tomorrow with two more games starting at 3 p.m. against Mississippi Valley State and concluding at 5:30 p.m. with a game against Mississippi State in the nightcap.
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