SAN ANTONIO -- The University of the Incarnate Word softball team is back on the road this week for a conference series against the Houston Baptist Huskies. First pitch for the opening game is set for 5 p.m. (CT) on Thursday, with the second game starting at approximately 7 p.m. and the series finale beginning Friday at noon.

FOLLOW ALONG
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THE OPENING PITCH
The Cardinals (4-33, 2-16 SLC) are looking to get back on track with a series win against the Huskies (16-20, 4-13 SLC), who have lost eight out of their last 10 contests.

RAY OF HOPE

• Senior first baseman Hope Sobolewski is heating up during conference play, batting .304 with a double, a triple, three home runs and 13 RBIs.
• Sobolewski had a career day against Southeastern Louisiana on 4/5, becoming the first player in Cardinal history to hit two grand slams in one game. She finished the series 6-8 with two grand slams, nine RBIs, and two runs scored.
• She's now leading the qualified hitters on the team in batting average (.275, doubles (four), home runs (five), RBIs (20), on-base percentage (.347) and slugging percentage (.505).

EMILY'S ENERGY

• Junior second baseman Emily Castro has recorded a hit in nine of the last 14 games, providing a boost to the Cardinal offense since returning from injury.
• She's batting .289/.313/.400 in conference play with three doubles, a triple and 10 RBIs.
• Castro is one of just two players on the team who have recorded at least one double, one triple and 10 RBIs on the season.

LEXI LIGHTING UP

• Junior outfielder Lexi Shaw has recorded a hit in eight of the last 13 games, coming into form when it matters most.
• In SLC play, Shaw is batting .351 with a double, two triples and four RBIs.
• She's now batting .276/.344/.362 on the season and is tied for third on the team in runs scored with 11.

SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Houston Baptist enters the series ninth in the SLC standings. Sophomore utility player Sierra Humphrey is the only Husky batting over .300 on the year, hitting .303 with two doubles, a triple and seven RBIs. HBU's best power threat is Caitlyn Brockway, who's hit three doubles, nine home runs and 19 RBIs to lead the Huskies.

In the circle, the Huskies regularly rotate three pitchers, all who have ERAs at or below 4.00. The primary starter is Emma Guindon, who's 6-6 on the year with a 3.08 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 95.1 innings pitched.

STAY TUNED
Be sure to follow the Cardinals this weekend on Twitter @UIWSoftball and visit uiwcardinals.com for post game stories recapping the day's action.