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HUNTSVILLE, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word softball opens Southland Conference play this weekend at Sam Houston State. Friday's doubleheader is slated for 5 and 7 p.m., while Saturday's finale is scheduled for noon from the Bearkat Softball Complex.
 
FIRST PITCH
 
SHSU has won the last six meetings and leads the all-time series, 9-1. The Cardinals' win was a 4-3 result on Apr. 25, 2015, in San Antonio.
 
SCOUTING THE SAM HOUSTON STATE BEARKATS
 
2018: 6-13 overall, 0-0 SLC
Last Game: L 5-0 at No. 25 Mississippi State (3/4)
Head Coach: Bob Brock
Offensive Leaders:
#9 Megan McDonald – 19 GP, .286 BA, 14 H, 6 RBIs
#14 Brooke Malla – 19 GP, .250 BA, 13 H, 5 R, 3 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBIs
#6 Tiffany Thompson – 19 GP, .188 BA, 5 R, 1 3B, 7 SB
Pitching Leader:
#21 Lindsey McLeod – 12 GP, 4-4, 2.09 ERA, 2 SHO, 60 SO
Summary: SHSU went 3-2 at the Mississippi State Bulldog Slamboree, with its only losses coming to the No. 25 Bulldogs. The Bearkats defeated Mercer and Alcorn State twice.
 
On the season, Megan McDonald leads the Bearkats with a .286 batting average, going 14-for-49 at the plate with a double, a run scored, and six RBIs. The leading run producer is Brooke Malla, who has seven, with team bests of three doubles and three home runs. Lindsey McLeod is the star pitcher for the Bearkats, as she is 4-4 with a 2.09 ERA, five complete games, two shutouts, 29 walks, and has 60 of the team's 86 strikeouts. As a team, SHSU is batting .199, while the opponents are hitting .292. The staff ERA is 4.54, while the opponent's is 1.65.
 
THE CARDINAL FILE
 
2018: 3-8 overall, 0-0 SLC
Last Game: L 8-3 at No. 6 Texas A&M (3/7)
Head Coach: Joe DiPietro (1^st season)
Offensive Leaders:
#11 Victoria Bratcher – 9 GP, .367 BA, 11 H, 3 2B, 4 RBIs, 4 R
#0 Marcela Lopez – 11 GP, .303 BA, 10 H, 2 R, 2 RBIs
#16 Shelby Neatherlin – 11 GP, .296 BA, 8 H, 3 R, 2 2B
Pitching Leader:
#25 Sarah Leal – 6 GP, 4.20 ERA, 3-3, 4 CG, 15 SO
Summary: UIW fought hard but lost a doubleheader at No. 6 Texas A&M Wednesday evening in College Station, 7-0 and 8-3. Emily Castro hit her first-collegiate home run, a three-run blast to cut A&M's lead in half, 6-3, in game two.
 
 On the season, Victoria Bratcher (.367) and Marcela Lopez (.303) are hitting above .300 for the Cardinals, with the former tops in hits (11), doubles, and is tied with Breana Nevarez and Hope Sobolewski with the team lead in RBIs (4). The Cardinals have hit four home runs by four different players: Castro, Delaney Guzman, Angel Villanueva, and Suzy Soza. In the circle, reigning Southland Conference Pitcher of the Week, Sarah Leal, is 3-3 with a 4.20 ERA, four complete games, 10 walks, and 15 strikeouts. As a team, the Cardinals are batting .212, while the opposition is hitting .322. The team ERA is 5.30, while the opponent's is 2.12.
 
UP NEXT

UIW plays a pair of mid-week games on the road next week: Texas State on Tuesday, Mar. 13 at 2 p.m. and UT Arlington on Wednesday, Mar. 14 at 4 p.m.

STAY TUNED

The Cardinals finally play their home opener next Friday and Saturday, Mar. 16-17 against Central Arkansas. Friday's doubleheader begins at 5 p.m., while Saturday's finale is scheduled for noon from the Cardinals Softball Field.

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.