ARLINGTON, TX – The University of the Incarnate Word softball team opened the UT-Arlington Tournament on Friday with a pair of losses against Tulsa and UT-Arlington.
 
In the first match of the day against Tulsa, the Cardinals (4-12, 0-0) got behind early after an RBI single from Maddie Withee put the Hurricanes up 1-0 in the top of the first. In the bottom of the first, Victoria Bratcher put the Cardinals on the board with an RBI single to center field to tie the game. Later in the inning, Alex Alonzo scored on a wild pitch to give UIW a 2-1 advantage.
 
In the second, Tulsa regained the lead after a bases loaded walk and a fielding error, which scored another Hurricane run. In the third, Shannon Hughes launched a two run blast that gave Tulsa a 5-2 lead. The Cardinals responded with a run after Delaney Guzman doubled to left center scoring Kellen Robles to make the score 5-3. However, the Hurricanes would score two more in the top of the fifth and they would go on to win the game 7-3.
 
The Cardinals totaled five hits for the contest and Guzman led the team with the RBI. Sarah Leal is charged with her fifth loss of the season after pitching the complete 7.0 innings allowing seven runs, four earned, on 10 hits. Madison Higley is credited with the win after going 3.1 innings and allowing three runs.
 
In the second game of the day against UT-Arlington, the Cardinals once again struggled at the plate. Bridget Stein got the start in the pitching circle and she went the full distance. The Mavericks scored one in the bottom of the second inning to take an early lead.
 
They added on in the fifth inning after an RBI single from Whitney Walton to take a 2-0 lead. The Cardinals got in the scoring column in the sixth after a Lacie Stevens doubled down the right field line scoring Marissa Ruiz.  UT- Arlington had a big sixth inning as the team scored five runs to take a 7-1 lead, which would be the final score. Stevens led the Cardinals with two hits and an RBI at the dish while Stein pitched six innings giving up seven runs, two earned.
 
Sam Montes picks up the victory for the Mavericks after she went 7.0 innings allowing just one earned run on five hits. Walton led the Mavericks at the plate with two hits and two RBI.
 
STAY TUNED
 
The Cardinals continue the tournament on Saturday with another double header starting at 10 a.m. as the Cardinals take on Saint Francis followed by another matchup against UT- Arlington at 3 p.m.