Natchitoches, LA – The University of the Incarnate Word softball team dropped the first game of the series to Northwestern State on Friday evening behind a strong pitching performance from Mikayla Brown, who only allowed three hits in the contest.
 
The Cardinals had a tough day at the plate as a team and they could not overcome a three run fourth inning from the Lady Demons. Northwestern State jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after scoring one run in both the second and third inning. In the top of the fourth, Mikaela Flores hit a two run blast for the Cardinals to tie the game at 2-2.
 
The Lady Demons responded with three runs in the fourth inning to take a 6-2 advantage and they would go on to add two more runs in the fifth and sixth inning to win the game 8-2.
 
The Cardinals totaled three hits and they were led by Flores who had both RBI. Joanna Valencia is charged with the loss after going 6.0 innings and giving up eight runs, six earned, on eight hits.
 
Brown is credited with her ninth win of the season after going the complete game allowing just two earned runs on three hits.  Sidney Salmans and Kellye Kincannon led the Lady Demons with two RBI each.
 
STAY TUNED
 
The series continues tomorrow with a doubleheader starting at 12 p.m. in Natchitoches.