BEAUMONT, TEXAS – It was a tough day for the University of Incarnate Word softball team as they were defeated twice in Friday's doubleheader at Lamar (17-11, 5-3). The first game of the day was a pitcher's duel between the two teams and Lamar was able to edge out UIW, 2-1.  In the second game, Lamar defeated UIW, 8-0 to sweep the doubleheader.
           
Sarah Leal (Kyle/Hays HS) made the start for UIW (11-19, 2-6) in the first game and she pitched well going 6.1 innings allowing two earned runs on five hits. The Cardinals opened the scoring in the top of the second inning when Natali Duron (Pasadena/Memorial HS) singled through the left side scoring Mikaela Flores (Lockhart/Lockhart HS) to make the score 1-0.  However, in the bottom of the seventh inning, Lamar would use a walk off double to left center by Kelly Meeuwsen that scored two runs and gave Lamar the 2-1 victory.
           
Leal was charged with her sixth loss of the season after the Cardinals could only muster one run for the game.  UIW only had three total hits and Duron drove in the only run for the Cardinals.  Ciara Luna picked up her eighth win of the season for Lamar as she went the full seven innings only giving up one run, which was unearned, on three hits.
           
In the second game, it was much of the same for the UIW offense.  The team only had two hits for the game and the Cardinals were shut out for the eighth time this season. Lamar had a five-run second inning which set the tone for the contest.  Lamar would add two runs in the fifth inning and one more in the sixth inning to make the final score 8-0.
           
Flores and Samantha Mendoza (Fresno, CA/Washington Union) had the two hits for the Cardinals and Ashley McDowell led Lamar with two hits and three RBI's while Brynn Baca had two hits and drove in two.
           
Bridget Stein (Brenham/Brenham HS) made the start for UIW and she struggled early on.  Stein went 2.1 innings and gave up five earned runs on six hits.  Leal replaced Stein in the third inning and she went 3.0 innings giving up two earned runs on five hits. Jessica Rodriguez (Conroe/Oak Ridge HS) finished the game for the Cardinals going 0.1 innings while giving up one earned run.  Laura Napoli earned the victory for Lamar going 6.0 innings allowing no runs on two hits.
           
The final game of the series will take place on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. as the Cardinals will try to avoid the three game sweep.
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