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AUSTIN, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word softball opens a new era Friday when the Cardinals take part in the three-day Texas Classic, Friday through Sunday, from Red and Charlie McCombs Field.
FIRST PITCH
UIW faces the host Longhorns and Colorado State twice, and Wisconsin once. CSU leads the all-time series, 1-0; UT leads, 2-0; and Saturday will be the first meeting against the Badgers.
Tournament Schedule
Friday, Feb. 9 - Colorado State vs. Wisconsin, 11 a.m.;
UIW vs. Colorado State, 1:30 p.m.;
UIW at Texas, 4:30 p.m.; Wisconsin at Texas, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 10 - UIW vs. Colorado State, 10 a.m.; Colorado State at Texas, 1 p.m.; Wisconsin at Texas, 3:30 p.m.;
UIW vs. Wisconsin, 6 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 11 - Colorado State vs. Wisconsin, 10 a.m.;
UIW at Texas, 12:30 p.m.
Admission for non-UT featured games is free, while tickets for games featuring the Longhorns is $3 for general admission and anywhere from $8-10 for individual reserved.
SCOUTING THE FIELD
Summary: Colorado State appeared in last season's Texas Classic and went 2-3, with two of those losses coming to the Longhorns. The Rams return 12 letterwinners from a season ago and signed eight newcomers (five freshmen and three transfers). The Rams return Second Team All-MWC and NFCA Third Team All-Region recipient, senior first baseman, Hannah McCorkhill. Last season, the Rams were last in the conference in batting (.266) and fifth in ERA (3.46).
Texas made its 18th NCAA Tournament appearance last season, going 2-2 at the College Station regional. Sophomore catcher, Taylor Ellsworth, was included as one of 50 student-athletes named to the USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List for the 2018 season. The Longhorns were fifth in the Big 12 last season in batting (.278) and third in ERA (2.11).
Wisconsin made its sixth NCAA Tournament appearance last season, going 2-2 at the Eugene (Ore.) Regional. Three returning Badgers earned All-Big Ten accolades. Last season, UW ranked sixth in batting (.279) and fourth in ERA (2.72).
THE CARDINAL FILE
2017: 13-40 overall, 6-21 SLC
Last Game: W 3-1 (8 innings) at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (5/6/17)
Head Coach: Joe DiPietro (1
st season)
Key Offensive Returners:
#0 So. OF
Marcela Lopez – 48 GP, .282 BA, 33 HITS, 19 RUNS, 3 RBIs, 15 SB
#11 Sr. SS
Victoria Bratcher – 51 GP, .272 BA, 34 HITS, 3 DBLS, 6 RBIs
Key Returning Pitcher:
#25 Sr.
Sarah Leal – 28 GP, 5.97 ERA, 4-15, 8 CG, 48 SO
Summary: The
Joe DiPietro era of UIW softball begins with a bang, as the Cardinals face two participants of last season's NCAA Tournament - Texas and Wisconsin - three times combined in the Texas Classic. The other participant, Colorado State, had an above-.500 record at 28-22 and competed at last season's Texas Classic.
Last season, UIW went 13-40 overall and 6-21 in the Southland Conference. The Cardinals faced some tough competition, which included the No. 4 team in the country at the time – and the eventual national champions – in Oklahoma. UIW won a thrilling 5-4 extra-inning affair at cross-town rival UTSA in late February. UIW had four players on the All-Conference teams, all seniors:
Alex Alonzo (HM; 1B),
Danielle Ramirez (3rd Team; OF),
Christy Trevino (3rd Team; C), and
Mikaela Flores (3rd Team; DP). The Cardinals return 13 letterwinners from a season ago, including last season's freshman standout,
Marcela Lopez, who hit .282 with 19 runs scored and 15 stolen bases. The Cardinals ranked 9th in the conference last season in team batting average (.249) and last in ERA (5.71). UIW lost eight players due to graduation last season and last season's freshman standout pitcher,
Joanna Valencia, to transfer (UT Arlington). This season's Cardinals welcome six freshmen and four junior transfers.
UP NEXT
UIW remains in the state of Texas at the Baylor Invitational Feb. 23-25.
STAY TUNED
The Cardinals compete in their final tournament, at the Madeira Beach Classic, in Madeira Beach, Fla., hosted by Eastern Michigan University.
To purchase tickets, contact UIW Ticket Sales Coordinator
Alma Lara at 210-805-3012.
For the most up-to-date information on Incarnate Word Athletics visit uiwcardinals.com. Be sure to follow Incarnate Word Athletics on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like Incarnate Word Athletics on Facebook at UIW Athletics.
