SAN ANTONIO – Visiting Stephen F. Austin set the tone early with a seven-run first inning en route to a run-ruled 11-2 win over the University of the Incarnate Word softball on a damp Saturday afternoon from Cardinals Field.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Twelve Ladyjacks (27-17 overall, 15-6 SLC) came up to bat in the top of the first, with seven crossing home plate. The big hit was a bases-clearing triple from Katherine Thompson that turned a 2-0 game to 5-0.

UIW (12-28, 5-16) chipped away at the deficit, scoring a single run in each of the bottom of the first and second innings on RBI hits from Lacie Stevens and Marcela Lopez, respectively.

SFA added a single run in the top of the fourth before knocking in three runs in the top of the fifth. One of the front-runners for Southland Conference Freshman of the Year, SFA's Bryana Novegil's first-collegiate home run was a two-run blast that put the run rule into effect.

LEADERS

Both Lopez and Stevens had two hits to lead the Cardinals offense. Breanna Hernandez (4-12) had a rough outing in the circle, lasting just two-thirds of an inning and giving up four hits, seven runs, and one walk with one strikeout. Jessica Rodriguez pitched a strong 4.1 innings, where she gave up five hits, four runs (three earned), and one walk while whiffing one.

Novegil went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs, as the freshman went 7-for-10 on the weekend. Margarita Corona, Thompson, and Madison Clements each had two hits. Callee Guffey (8-8) earned the win in the circle, as she allowed five hits and two runs while striking out two.

UP NEXT

UIW looks to snap a season-tying seven-game losing skid when the Cardinals play at UTSA on Wednesday, Apr. 25 at 6 p.m. from Roadrunners Field. UIW defeated UTSA at home, 4-3, on Apr. 11.

STAY TUNED

The Cardinals return to Southland Conference play in a three-game series at Lamar next weekend, Apr. 27-28.