Conway, AR – The University of the Incarnate Word softball team completed their three game series against Central Arkansas on Saturday afternoon. On Friday, the Cardinals broke their 15 game losing and picked up their first Southland Conference victory of the season.
 
In the first game of the series, the Sugar Bears shutout the Cardinals 5-0. Sarah Leal pitched the complete 6.0 innings giving up five runs on eight hits while striking out two batters. Alex Alonzo led the Cardinals with two hits as UIW totaled six as a team.
 
Kayla Gomness got her fifth win of the season after going the full 7.0 innings allowing just six hits. Four different Sugar Bears recorded an RBI.
 
In the second game of the series, the Cardinals were able to find offense early. Delaney Guzman launched a three run shot in the second inning to give the Cardinals an early lead. In the fifth, Alonzo doubled down the left field line to score Christy Trevino.
 
The Sugar Bears added three runs in the fifth, but the Cardinals would hold off the charge and get their first conference win of the season 5-4. Joanna Valencia was very good going 6.0 innings giving up two earned runs on six hits. Bridget Stein came in to get her first save of the season.
 
In the series finale, Central Arkansas exploded in the fourth inning offensively scoring four runs to take a late lead.  The Sugar Bears added one run in the fourth, and one more in the sixth to win the game 6-1. Trevino had an RBI single for the Cardinals in the six innings.
 
Jessica Rodriguez got the start and she lasted just 2.2 innings giving up four earned runs on five hits. Trevino and Laci Stevens led the Cardinals with two hits each. Gomness got her second win of the series after a strong outing.
 
STAY TUNED
 
The Cardinals return home next weekend as they face McNeese starting with a double header on Friday at 4 p.m. at Cardinals Field.