SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – After splitting the doubleheader yesterday against Northwestern State University, the University of Incarnate Word softball team was able to take the Southland Conference series with a 7-5 victory on Sunday afternoon at Cardinals Field against the defending conference champions.
           
With the wind blowing out to left centerfield the ball was flying out of the ballpark. Kellye Kincannon led off the game with a homerun to left center giving the Lady Demons (16-7, 1-2) an early 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the first inning, Alex Alonzo (San Antonio/Smithson Valley HS) followed suit by hitting a two-run shot to left center scoring Natali Duron (Pasadena/Memorial HS) who led off the inning with a single for the Cardinals (8-13, 2-1).
           
In the top of the third inning, Northwestern State would regain the lead after scoring two runs highlighted by a solo homerun from Kaytie Proctor giving the Lady Demons a 3-2 advantage.  The Cardinals responded well in the bottom of the third inning putting four runs across with help from two errors by Northwestern State to make the score 6-3 in favor of UIW.  After taking the lead, the Cardinals were determined to hold it as they did not trail the rest of the game.

The Lady Demons scored two runs in the top of the fourth after Kincannon hit her second homerun of the game to bring the Lady Demons within one at 6-5, but the Cardinals would add a late insurance run in the bottom of the sixth to secure the victory.
           
In the pitching circle, Jessica Rodriguez (Conroe/Oak Ridge HS) made her fourth start of the season and she struggled early, but kept the Cardinals in the game after giving up three earned runs on five hits in 2.2 innings.  In the fourth inning Bridget Stein (Brenham/Brenham HS) entered the game and pitched very well for UIW only giving up four hits in 2.2 innings.  Stein would end up picking up her fourth victory of the season in the game. Sarah Leal (Kyle/Hays HS) pitched the final inning for UIW and she was once again a weapon for the Cardinals coming out of the bullpen and getting out of a late jam securing the victory of the Cardinals with her first save of the season.
           
Micaela Bouvier made the start for the Lady Demons and she took the loss going three innings giving up six runs, three earned, on four hits. The Lady Demons struggled defensively giving up five errors for the day and that did not help Bouvier who also pitched seven innings yesterday.  Shelby Sells replaced Bouvier to start the fourth inning and she finished the game going four innings giving up one unearned run on four hits.
           
As a team, the Cardinals had one of their best games at the plate collecting eight hits and seven runs while only striking out three times.  Alonzo went 2-for-2 with the homerun and two RBI to lead the team.  Marissa Ruiz (Portland/Gregory-Portland HS) and Shelbi Swenson (Elgin/Elgin HS) each picked up an RBI.  Monique Miller (Hewitt/Midway HS) was a spark coming off the bench with two runs scored and a stolen base.  Samantha Mendoza (Fresno, CA/Washington Union HS) made a spectacular catch in left field late in the game that allowed UIW to hold off the Lady Demons.

The Cardinals will return to action on Tuesday with a matchup against North Texas starting at 3 p.m. at Cardinals Field.  
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