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ABILENE, Texas – After defeating crosstown rival UTSA, 4-3, Wednesday night, the University of the Incarnate Word softball team looks to take that momentum into Abilene, when the Cardinals play a three-game Southland Conference series at Abilene Christian Friday and Saturday at Poly Wells Field.
 
FIRST PITCH
 
This weekend will be a critical series for both teams, as ACU currently holds the eighths and final playoff spot with a 7-8 SLC record. UIW is 10th at 5-10.
 
The Wildcats lead the all-time series, 41-29, and have won the last six meetings. The last UIW win was a 10-2 victory on Apr. 4, 2015, in San Antonio.
 
SCOUTING THE ABILENE CHRISTIAN WILDCATS
 
2018: 14-20 overall, 7-8 SLC
Last Game: W 11-10 vs. Texas Tech (4/10)
Head Coach: Bobby Reeves
Offensive Leaders:
#9 Donelle Johnson – 34 GP, .281 BA, 27 H, 22 R, 6 2B, 5 HR, 14 RBIs, 2 SB
#27 Braegan Hamilton – 34 GP, .267 BA, 31 H, 13 R, 5 2B, 3 3B, 12 RBIs, 2 SB
#16 Brianna Barnhill – 34 GP, .244 BA, 22 H, 14 R, 2 2B, 5 HR, 18 RBIs, 2 SB
Pitching Leader:
#18 Hannah Null – 26 GP, 11-10, 2.17, 19 CG, 4 SHO, 1 SV, 139 SO
Summary: ACU won a thriller at home on Apr. 10, defeating Texas Tech 11-10. The Wildcats overcame a 10-5 deficit with six runs in the bottom of the seventh. Pinch hitter Katelyn Belch hit a walk-off, two-run home run.
 
On the season, Donelle Johnson is 17th in the Southland Conference with a .281 batting average, as she is 32-for-118 with 32 runs, nine doubles, three triples, five home runs, and 29 RBIs. In the circle, former SLC Pitcher of the Week, Hannah Null, has been a workhorse for the Wildcats. Null leads the conference in innings pitched (151.2), complete games (19), is tied for second in games started (20), second in strikeouts (139), and third in ERA (2.17). As a team, ACU is ranked 9th in the SLC in batting average (.234) and 8th in ERA (4.24).
 
THE CARDINAL FILE
 
2018: 12-21 overall, 5-10 SLC
Last Game: W 4-3 vs. UTSA (4/11)
Head Coach: Joe DiPietro (1^st season)
Offensive Leaders:
#10 Hope Sobolewski – 32 GP, .300 BA, 27 H, 4 R, 2 2B, 3 HR, 16 RBIs
#22 Angel Villanueva – 22 GP, .349 BA, 15 H, 11 R, 1 3B, 2 HR, 9 RBIs
#32 Delaney Guzman – 29 GP, .243 BA, 18 H, 11 R, 5 2B, 5 HR, 9 RBIs
Pitching Leader:
#12 Breanna Hernandez – 13 GP, 4-7, 4.05 ERA, 7 CG, 1 SO, 30 SO
Summary: UIW came from an early 2-0 hole to defeat visiting UTSA, 4-3, Wednesday evening from Cardinals Field. Delaney Guzman led the Cardinals with two RBIs, while she followed Shelby Neatherlin with back-to-back home runs that put the hosts ahead, 3-2. After the Roadrunners tied the game in the top of the fifth, Angel Villanueva's RBI single in the bottom of the sixth put UIW ahead for good.
 
On the season, Hope Sobolewski leads UIW with a .300 batting average, but her .432 average in conference play ranks her 7th in the league. With her bomb Wednesday night, Guzman's five home runs puts her in a tie for 12th in the conference. In the circle, Sarah Leal is 9th in innings pitched (99.2). She is 8-9 on the season with a 4.43 ERA and 58 strikeouts. Breanna Hernandez leads the pitching staff with a 4.05 ERA, as she is 4-7 with 30 strikeouts. As a team, the Cardinals rank 11th in both batting average (.227) and ERA (4.62).
 
UP NEXT

UIW hosts Texas State next Wednesday, Apr. 18 at 6 p.m. It is the second half of a home-and-home series with the Bobcats, who were victorious over the Cardinals, 6-3, on Mar. 13 in San Marcos.

STAY TUNED

The Cardinals host Stephen F. Austin in a three-game SLC series Friday and Saturday, Apr. 20-21.

To purchase tickets, contact Ticket Sales Coordinator Alma Lara at 210-805-3012.
 
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics, visit uiwcardinals.com, follow the Cardinals on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like UIW Athletics on Facebook at UIW Athletics.