HOUSTON, TEXAS -- The University of the Incarnate Word softball team came up short in a pair of games Saturday, falling to Kennesaw State (5-2) and Northern Illinois (1-0) at the University of Houston Challenge.
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NOTABLES
- Brett Coleman pitched a full 7.0 innings against Northern Illinois and struck out five batters, surrendering just one run on five hits. She also recorded a season-high six strikeouts.
- Jenna Bleiberg went 1-for-3 with an RBI against Kennesaw State, driving in the first run of the game off a single to left field. She's now batting .300 on the year, good for second on the team (minimum 10 at-bats).
- Jaylin Olivarez picked up a base hit in both games today, finishing 2-for-5 with a sacrifice hit.
- Angel Villanueva stole her third base of the year, retaining her spot as the team leader in the category.
- Shelby Neatherlin drove in her fourth RBI of the season against Kennesaw State. Her four RBIs are most on the team.
HOW IT HAPPENED
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Game 1: vs. Kennesaw State
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The Cardinals got on the board early, scoring off a Bleiberg single and a sacrifice fly from
Shelby Neatherlin to put UIW up 2-0. Kennesaw State responded with a run of its own, reducing the deficit to one after the first inning.
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Freshman pitcher
Renee Hoffman retired nine out of the next 11 batters heading into the fifth frame before the Owls scored two, first on an RBI double and then on a single to take their first lead of the game. Kennesaw State added a pair of insurance runs in the sixth, and the Cardinals couldn't make up the deficit, falling 5-2.
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Game 2: vs. Northern Illinois
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It was the battle of the pitchers in game two, with both starters refusing to give up a run during the first three innings. Eventually, the Huskies plated a run on an RBI single in the fourth, and that one score was enough to carry NIU to victory as the Cardinal bats just couldn't get going.
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UP NEXT
The Cardinals close out the University of Houston Challenge with a rematch against Northern Illinois on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. (CT).
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FOLLOW ALONG
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