SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Nina Flores, Teanna Lucio, and Breanna Hernandez were the stars in the University of the Incarnate Word's 1-0 game two victory over Kansas Wednesday afternoon from Cardinals Field. The Jayhawks were victorious in game one, 5-0, in a much closer game than the score indicates.
 
Flores hit an RBI single to bring home game two's only run in the bottom of the sixth, left fielder Lucio threw a missile to home to gun down a Jayhawk trying to score from second in the top of the seventh to preserve the shutout, and Hernandez pitched a gutsy, complete-game performance in the circle.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
Game 1: Kansas 5, UIW 0
It was a pitcher's duel through the first three innings between UIW (6-15) ace, Sarah Leal, and Kansas' (23-7) Andie Formby. The Jayhawks got a run in the top of the fourth on an RBI double by Sam Dellinger.
 
The Jayhawks put up a crooked number in the top of the fifth, bringing nine players to the plate and scoring four runs, highlighted by a three-run homer from Hardi Ridling.
 
Six different Cardinals registered a hit. Leal (5-6) took the hard-luck loss in the circle, as she allowed four hits, one earned run, and one walk while striking out three in 4.0 innings. Brett Coleman allowed five hits, three earned runs, and two walks while whiffing one in 3.0 innings.
 
Four different Jayhawks had a two-hit performance in game one. Formby (11-2) went the distance in the circle, allowing six hits and one walk while striking out 10.
 
Game 2: UIW 1, Kansas 0
Game two featured another pitcher's duel between Hernandez and Kansas' ace, Sarah Miller.
 
Both teams did not have a legit scoring opportunity throughout most of the game, with hits primarily coming with two outs.
 
After the Jayhawks went down in order in the top of the sixth, Hope Sobolewski started the bottom half of the frame drawing a walk. Angel Villanueva pinch ran for Sobolewski and advanced to third on back-to-back ground outs. Flores came up to the box and hit a clutch, two-out single to right to bring home Villanueva for the game's first run.
 
Kansas still had life in the top of the seventh, as Dellinger drew a one-out walk, was pinch run by Addie Balderston, who stole second to put herself in scoring position. Madison Sykes hit a double down the left field line and it looked like the game was going to be knotted at one, but Lucio cut down the ball and threw a strike to catcher Jenna Bleiberg, who tagged Balderston easily at home. Emily Bermel grounded out to end the game.
 
Game two featured seven hits total by the two teams. Flores finished with a 2-for-3 day, while Jordan Goins earned her first-collegiate hit. After a string of bad luck in her last handful of outings, Hernandez (1-5) finally got luck on her side and picked up her first-collegiate win in the circle, as she allowed just four hits and one walk while striking out four in the complete game.
 
Four different Jayhawks picked up a hit. Miller (6-3) took the loss, as she allowed only three hits, one earned run, and three walks while striking out seven.
 
UP NEXT

UIW returns to Southland Conference play to face a three-game series at McNeese Friday and Saturday, Mar. 23-24.

STAY TUNED

The Cardinals host HBU next weekend prior to Easter.

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.