SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Behind pitching gems from
Joanna Valencia,
Sarah Leal, and
Kristin Hebert, and a two-run blast from
Monica Flores, the UIW softball team swept a doubleheader from visiting Texas Southern, 5-1 and 8-1, Wednesday afternoon from Cardinal Softball Field.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Valencia pitched a complete game three-hitter in the opener, while
Mikaela Flores had two doubles, two RBI, and went 3-for-4 at the plate.
The Cardinals drew first blood on Flores' RBI double which scored
Victoria Bratcher in the bottom of the first.
UIW had a chance to do some damage with the bases loaded and one out, but TSU got the runner out at home on a fielder's choice and a foul pop up to end the inning unscathed.
The Cardinals put a two-spot on the Lady Tigers in the bottom of the third on
Brigitte Gauvin's RBI single and
Hailee Alaniz's sacrifice fly.
Another Flores RBI hit and
Alex Alonzo's sacrifice fly ended the scoring for the Cardinals.
In game two, after each team exchanged a run in the first inning, UIW exploded for four second-inning runs, highlighted by heads-up base running by the Cardinals. With Flores at third,
Marcela Lopez reached on a fielder's choice as TSU tried to get Mo. Flores out at home. Lopez took second on the throw home. With the freshman safe at second, Mo. Flores ran and was safe at home for the Cardinals' third run of the game.
UIW put another crooked number up in the bottom of the fifth on Mo. Flores' two-run blast to center for a 7-1 lead.
LEADERS
Mi. Flores led the Cardinals in game one, going 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI. Valencia earned the win in the circle, as she had a no-hitter through three innings.
Marissa Padron registered the RBI for TSU, while Kreola Moore took the loss in the circle.
Bratcher and Mi. Flores each had two hits for UIW in game two. Leal started in the circle and took the win, allowing three hits and one run in five innings. Hebert did not allow a hit in two innings. The doubleheader sweep was the first since the Cardinals won both games against Prairie View A&M on April 26, 2016, by scores of 10-2 and 11-0.
UP NEXT
UIW concludes the season with a three-game Southland Conference series at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Friday and Saturday.
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics visit uiwcardinals.com. Be sure to follow UIW Athletics on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like UIW Athletics on Facebook at UIW Athletics.
