RUSTON, LA – The University of the Incarnate Word softball team kicks off the 2017 campaign in the Louisiana Tech Invitational starting with a double-header on Friday at 5 p.m. against Louisiana Tech, followed by a matchup against Missouri State at 7 p.m. The Cardinals will play five games in three days in the tournament, which concludes on Sunday.
THE OPENING PITCH
The Cardinals finished the 2016 season with an 18-34 record overall, and a 7-20 record in the Southland Conference. UIW played very well at home last season going 9-9, but the team struggled on the road with a 5-18 record.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
To start the tournament, UIW will face Louisiana Tech. The Lady Techsters finished last season with a 32-22 overall record. Louisiana Tech returns Morgan Turkoly, who hit .333 with 10 homeruns last season. Bailey Allen is the team's ace and she went 15-9 last year with a 2.47 ERA.
The Cardinals also face Missouri State on Friday and the Bears finished 2016 with a 22-30 record. Olivia Roark returns as Missouri State's top offensive threat batting .373 with 41 hits last season. Kaitlin Beason is the Bears top pitcher with eight wins last season and a 3.39 ERA.
The North Dakota Fighting Hawks posted a 17-37 record last year going 4-15 in the Big Sky Conference. North Dakota hit .253 as a team last season and they return their best pitcher Kaylin VanDomelen, who won 14 games last season.
The Samford Bulldogs are coming off a 40-20 season where they went 18-4 on their home field. Shelby Maze hit .383 last season with two homeruns and 24 RBI. However, the Bulldogs will have to replace Mollie Hanson who went 23-10 for the team last season with a 2.47 ERA.
The University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff finished last season with a15-36 overall record. The Golden Lions struggled on the road with a 3-16 record and they finished the season on a three games losing streak.
THE CARDINAL FILE
Alex Alonzo returns as the Cardinals leading hitter from 2016. Alonzo finished the year with a .274 batting average and a team high six long balls and 28 runs batted in. Both
Bridget Stein and
Sarah Leal return for the UIW pitching staff as the duo combined for six wins last season.
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.
