SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word softball team split a doubleheader against visiting HBU, winning game one 6-4 and gifting the Huskies a 6-2 win in game two.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Game 1: UIW 6, HBU 4
It was a pitcher's duel between UIW (8-19 overall, 4-8 SLC) hurler, Breanna Hernandez, and HBU's (6-19, 3-9) Elliott Estes, as there was no score until the bottom of the third.

After Delaney Guzman walked and Hernandez singled, Breana Nevarez sacrificed bunt both runners to get them both in scoring position. A Husky error allowed both Guzman to score and Marcela Lopez to reach first safely. It looked like Lopez was going to attempt a steal and HBU's catcher threw to second, but the ball went to the outfield, allowing Hernandez to cross home for a 2-0 Cardinals' lead.

HBU cut the deficit in half in the top of the fourth, as Sierra Humphrey's RBI single scored Nicole Shedd.

In the bottom half of the frame, UIW threatened for more, with bases loaded full of Cardinals with two outs, but HBU center fielder, Kay Schroeder, made a phenomenal diving catch, with her back to home plate, that surely would have cleared the bases.
HBU took advantage of the good fortune, as Kassie James hit a three-run home run in the top of the fifth that turned a 2-1 deficit to a 4-2 Huskies lead.

Victoria Bratcher got one of the runs back with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the fifth, to make the score 4-3. Following two walks, Guzman became the hero again, as, for the second-straight game, she hit a home run that put the Cardinals in the lead, as her three-run blast put the Cardinals ahead for good, 6-4.

Guzman was perfect at the plate, 2-for-2 with three RBIs and a pair of runs scored. Hernandez (2-6) went the distance in the circle, as she allowed six hits, four earned runs, and three walks, as she tied her career high of four strikeouts.

James was the big hitter for the Huskies, as she went 2-for-3 at the plate with three RBIs and one run scored. Estes (1-3) took the loss in the circle, as she gave up two hits, three runs (one earned), and five walks with one strikeout in 3.2 innings.

Game 2: HBU 6, UIW 2

Pinch hitter Emily Castro's RBI double down the left field line in the bottom of the fourth broke a scoreless tie. Jordan Goins' RBI single brought home Monica Flores for the second run in the inning. HBU starting pitcher, Jessica Patak, buckled down and left the bases loaded, as she got a fly out and a ground out to end the inning with just two runs allowed.

HBU had one of its best chance to score in the top of the sixth, as the Huskies had a runner in scoring position with one out, but UIW starting pitcher, Sarah Leal, got consecutive fly outs to keep the shutout intact.

The Huskies were in business in the top of the seventh, with a single and a double placing Huskies in scoring position. Schroeder's sac fly allowed Brooke Bushman to score to make the score, 2-1, in favor of UIW. After Amber Lotz reached first on a Cardinal mental error, Leal got a huge second out via the strikeout on pinch hitter Estes with Huskies still at first and second. Heidi Jaquez drew a walk, which loaded the bases and placing the tying run 60 feet away with two outs. Humphrey's single up the middle put the Huskies in the lead, 3-2. The next batter, Demi Janak, hit a three-run home run to give the visitors a 6-2 lead. A fly out to the warning track ended the inning. UIW went down in order in the bottom of the seventh to end the game.

Jordan Goins went 2-for-4 at the plate with an RBI to lead the Cardinals at the plate. Leal (6-8) was the very tough-luck loser in the circle, as she allowed seven hits, six runs, and one walk with five strikeouts.

Lotz went 2-for-3 with a run scored to pace the Husky offense. Patak (4-10) got the win in the circle, as she gave up six hits, two runs, and three walks while whiffing four.

UP NEXT

UIW heads to Houston to play a doubleheader at Texas Southern on Tuesday, Apr. 3 beginning at 3 p.m. at Memorial Park.

STAY TUNED

The Cardinals host conference leader, Northwestern State, next weekend in a three-game series Apr. 6-7. Friday's doubleheader is slated for 5 and 7 p.m., while Saturday's series finale is set for noon.

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.