MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. - The University of the Incarnate Word softball  broke a 2-2 tie with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth, and held on for a 5-3 victory over Eastern Michigan Sunday. The Cardinals went 3-2 at the Madeira Beach Classic.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Victoria Bratcher led off the bottom of the first with a singleVictoria to center. After advancing to second on a single, then third on a fly out, she crossed home on an error by EMU (4-11). The Eagles tied the game in the top of the second on an RBI double.

The Eagles took a 2-1 Lead in the top of the third on an RBI single, only for UIW 3-6) to tie things in the bottom half of the frame on an RBI single from Hope Sobolewski.

The Cardinals took the lead for good with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Angel Villanueva hit a leadoff home run, then Bratcher hit an RBI double down the line be for a 4-2 UIW lead.

The Eagles hit a home run in the top of the fifth to cut the deficit to 4-3, only for Villanueva's RBI in the bottom of the innings bc to give UIW the two-run advantage. 

LEADERS

Four Cardinals finished with two hits apiece: Bratcher, Villanueva, Marcela Lopez, and Teanna Lucio. Sarah Leal improved her record to 3-3 with nine hits, three earned runs, and two walks, with three strikeouts in five innings. Jessica Rodriguez picked up the sane, tossing two scoreless innings with three whiffs.

Amanda Akles led EMU with a 3-for-4 effort at the plate. Nicole Miranda took the loss in the circle, as she allowed 10 hits, three earned runs, and two walks with a strikeout.

UP NEXT

UIW returns to the Lone Star State playing at No. 7 Texas A&M Wednesday at 4 p.m.

STAY TUNED

The Cardinals open Southland Conference play with a three-game series at San Houston State Friday-Saturday, Mar. 9-10.