HOUSTON, Texas – In a doubleheader sweep of host Texas Southern Tuesday afternoon, the University of the Incarnate Word softball team combined for 26 hits and 17 runs in 8-7 and 9-3 victories over the Lady Tigers. It was UIW's first road wins of the season.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
Game 1: UIW 8, TSU 7
UIW (10-19) registered a season-high 14 hits and freshman Brett Coleman took home her first-collegiate save as the Cardinals held on to an 8-7 win over TSU (15-8-1) in the opener.
 
After both teams scored a pair of runs in the first inning, UIW erupted for four second-inning runs to take a 6-2 lead, highlighted by a three-run single by Angel Villanueva.
 
The Lady Tigers' single runs in the bottom of the third and fifth sandwiched a Monica Flores' RBI single down the line in the top of the fourth. The Cardinals added what proved to be a key insurance run in the top of the seventh, as Shelby Neatherlin led off the inning with a home run to increase the visitors' lead to 8-4.
 
In the bottom of the frame, TSU brought nine batters to the plate and scored three times to make things interesting. Coleman relieved starter Sarah Leal with runners at first and second with nobody out and a run already across home plate. After consecutive RBI singles to cut the lead to one, Coleman buckled down and got a strikeout, a foul out, and a fly out to end the game.
 
Villanueva went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and three runs, while Hope Sobolewski went 2-for-4 with three RBIs to lead UIW at the plate. Leal (7-8) earned the win, as she gave up nine hits, seven runs (six earned), and two walks, while striking out a career-high seven batters. Coleman got the save, as she allowed two hits while striking out one.
 
Dominique Tello went a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBIs and one run, while Danielle Sonnier went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and a pair of runs. Felicia Garza (0-2) took the loss in the circle, as she allowed six hits, five earned runs, and one walk while striking out one in 1.1 innings.
 
Game 2: UIW 9, TSU 3
UIW jumped out to a 5-0 lead after two innings and never looked back. Emily Castro reached on a fielder's choice, allowing Marcela Lopez to score to open the scoring in the top of the first. One batter later, Monica Flores' RBI single allowed Angel Villanueva to touch home to conclude a three-run first.
 
After TSU went down in order in the bottom half of the frame, the Cardinals scored two more times in the top of the second to take a 5-0 lead, highlighted by Castro's two-run single down the line, which allowed Lopez and Mackenzie Stark – seeing her first action of the season – to score.
 
TSU cut the deficit to two with a three-run bottom of the fourth, but UIW quickly answered with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth to increase the Cardinals' lead to 7-3. Monica Flores started the inning with a double. After her sister, Nina Flores, sacrifice bunted her over to third, Stark earned her first RBI of the season with an infield single. Lopez's infield single allowed Breana Nevarez to score to end the inning.
 
UIW added two insurance runs in the top of the seventh on Villanueva's RBI single and on a double steal for the Cardinals.
 
Stark had a huge debut for the Cardinals, going 3-for-3 at the plate with a pair of runs scored and one RBI. Both Lopez and Villanueva went 2-for-4 with a combined three runs scored and two RBIs. Breanna Hernandez (3-8) tossed a gem in the circle, scattering three hits and allowing three runs (zero earned) and zero walks, while striking out three.
 
TSU's 5-7 batters went a combined 3-for-9, as Julia Bilbao had two RBIs for the Lady Tigers. Jasmin Fulmore (3-3) took the loss in the circle, allowing seven hits, five runs (four earned), and three walks while striking out three in 3.0 innings.
 
UP NEXT

UIW returns to Southland Conference play to host Northwestern State this Friday and Saturday, Apr. 6-7. Friday's doubleheader is scheduled for 5 p.m., while Saturday's single game finale is set for noon.

STAY TUNED

The Cardinals play the first game of a home-and-home with UTSA, hosting the Roadrunners next Wednesday, Apr. 11 at 6 p.m.

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.