Softball | 2/16/2017 5:04:00 PM
Tournament Central |
Notes
HOUSTON, TX – The University of the Incarnate Word softball team returns to action this weekend in the Rawlings Classic hosted by the University of Houston. The Cardinals begin the tournament on Friday at 9 a.m. when they take on #4 Oklahoma, followed by a matchup against Rhode Island at 11:30 a.m. On Saturday, UIW faces Rhode Island once again at 9 a.m., then he Cardinals finish the double header with a game against Ole Miss at 11:30 a.m. The Rawlings Classic concludes on Sunday at 1 p.m. when UIW takes on Houston.
THE OPENING PITCH
UIW (2-3, 0-0) opened the 2017 campaign at the Louisiana Tech Invitational last weekend. After getting off to a slow start offensively, the Cardinals ended the tournament on a two-game winning streak, defeating both Samford and Arkansas-Pine Bluff by identical 3-2 scores. For their efforts,
Danielle Ramirez and
Sarah Leal were named to the All-Tournament Team.
On the young season,
Christy Trevino and
Marcela Lopez each have identical .400 batting averages, going 2-for-5 at the plate. Ramirez leads the Cardinals with three RBI, while
Lacie Stevens has the most hits with four. In the circle,
Kristin Hebert is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA, while Leal is 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA. Leal,
Joanna Valencia, and
Jessica Rodriguez each have a staff-best five strikeouts.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Oklahoma started the season the top team in Division I softball, but after going 2-2 at the Puerto Vallerta College Challenge, falling to No. 2 Auburn and No. 13 Washington, the Sooners are ranked fourth. OU defeated BYU and Nebraska. Caleigh Clifton leads Oklahoma in several offensive categories including average (.500), runs (3), walks (5), hit by pitch (2) and on-base percentage (.733).
Rhode Island opens its 2017 season at the UH Tournament. Last season, the Rams went 12-31 last season. Ali Summers enters the season ranked third in Rhode Island history in with a .410 career on-base percentage, while pitcher Becca Rogers won nine games last season. It was the most wins in one season by a Rhode Island pitcher in four years.
Ole Miss went 3-1 at the Easton Invitational in Fullerton, Calif., with the Lady Rebels' only loss coming to a North Dakota State team receiving votes in the national rankings. Ole Miss has a staggering 0.27 ERA in the circle, allowing one earned run in 26 innings. Kylan Becker (7-for-14) and Alyssa Gonzalez (3-for-6) are each hitting .500, with the latter the top run producer with five RBI.
Houston went 2-4 in its own tournament and defeated HBU, 3-1, Wednesday night. The Cougars are led at the plate by Maya Thomas, who is hitting .632 (12-for-19). Shelby Miller has four home runs and 12 RBI. In the circle, Trystan Melancon is 0-1 with a 3.11 ERA.
STAY TUNED
Be sure to follow the Cardinals this weekend on Twitter @UIWAthletics and visit uiwcardinals.com for post game stories recapping the day's action.
