COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Sophomore Emily Castro hit her first-collegiate home run, a three-run blast in game two, but the University of the Incarnate Word softball was swept by No. 6 Texas A&M, 7-0 and 8-3, Wednesday evening from the Aggie Softball Complex.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Game 1
Texas A&M had runners at second and third with nobody out in the bottom of the first, but got out of the inning unscathed with a pop up, a fly out, and a strikeout.

The Aggies' Sarah Hudek led off the bottom of the second with a single, stole second, then scored on an RBI single by designated player, Samantha Show, (who tossed a no-hitter the night before against Penn State) to put the hosts on the board. Texas A&M's leading RBI playmaker, Tori Vidales had a two-run single. After Kristen Cuyos scored from third, Kelbi Fortenberry tried to score from second and was dead at the plate, but the Cardinals were guilty of blocking the plate without the ball, as the third run was allowed.

The Aggies began the bottom of the fourth with three-straight singles. Kaitlyn Alderink hit a roper down the left-field line in a bases-clearing, three-run triple to double the Aggies' lead, 6-0.

Hope Sobolewski led off the top of the fifth with an infield hit, breaking up Trinity Harrington's no-hitter. After Emily Castro was hit by a pitch to place Cardinals at first and second, the Aggies got out of the inning with a 643 double play.

Monica Flores hit a single in the right-center gap in the top of the sixth for the Cardinals' second hit of the game. But she was unable to advance, as Harrington got a strikeout and groundout to end the threat.

Sobolewski went 2-for-3 to lead UIW. Sarah Leal (3-3) took the loss in the circle, allowing 11 hits, six earned runs and one walk with one strikeout in four innings. Keeli Milligan went 3-for-3 to lead A&M, while Harrington (6-1) earned the win, allowing four hits and one walk with eight strikeouts in the complete game effort.

Game 2
Texas A&M (21-3) scored five runs in the first inning to set the tone early. The Cardinals allowed one run in the bottom of the second and the Aggies looked like they were going to break the game open with the bases loaded and one out, but Breanna Hernandez got a foul out and a ground out to end the inning.

Breanna Hernandez, coming on in relief, struck out two in a scoreless bottom of the third for the Cardinals.

In the top of the fifth, Emily Castro hit a pinch-hit, three-run home run to dead center field to not only get the Cardinals on the board, but cut the Aggies' lead in half, 6-3. It was the first-collegiate long ball for the sophomore. After a walk to Nina Flores, Aggies starter, Maddie MacGrandle was chased for Payton McBride, who got back-to-back strikeouts to end the threat and A&M leading, 6-3.

The Cardinals' momentum continued to the bottom half of the frame, as, following a Hudek leadoff single, UIW got a foul out, then a 543 double play to end the inning.

The Aggies scored twice in the bottom of the sixth on small ball - an infield single and a fielder's choice – for an 8-3 lead.

Castro only had the one at-bat, but it was a big one, as she led all players with three RBIs. Jaylin Olivarez had the other UIW hit in game two. Jessica Rodriguez took the loss in the circle, allowing seven hits, six earned runs, and two walks with a strikeout in just 1.1 innings. Breanna Hernandez played well in relief, as she tied her career high with two strikeouts. Milligan was once again a thorn in the Cardinals' side as she went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and three stolen bases. She finished the day 6-for-7 with four runs and four stolen bases. MacGrandle got the win in the circle, as she gave up two hits, three earned runs and five walks with five strikeouts in 4.1 innings. McBride got the save as she struck out four and did not allow a hit in 2.2 innings.

UP NEXT

UIW opens Southland Conference play at Sam Houston State Friday-Saturday, Mar. 9-10.

STAY TUNED

The Cardinals play back-to-back midweek road games next week, beginning with Texas State on Tuesday, Mar. 13 at 2 p.m. before continuing north to face UT Arlington on Wednesday, Mar. 14 at 4 p.m.

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.