SAN ANTONIO -- After picking up its first conference series win last weekend, the University of the Incarnate Word softball team will try and carry its momentum into Wednesday's matchup against the UTSA Roadrunners at H-E-B Field. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.

FOLLOW ALONG
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THE OPENING PITCH
The Cardinals (4-23, 2-7 SLC) are winners of two consecutive games and are looking to make it three against the struggling Roadrunners (16-18, 6-6 C-USA), who have lost seven out of their last nine contests.

SIZZLING SHELBY

• Since the series finale against Central Arkansas on 3/23, Shelby Neatherlin has been on a tear, reaching base in four consecutive games. In those contests, she's batting .500 (7-14) with two walks, two home runs, seven RBIs and five runs scored.
• Neatherlin now leads all qualified hitters on the team in batting average (.274), home runs (4), RBIs (12) and slugging percentage (.468).
• The senior third baseman was named Honorable Mention for Southland Conference Player of the Week on Monday.

THE RBI MACHINE

• In last weekend's series vs. Abilene Christian, junior second baseman Emily Castro hit .400 with a double, a walk and six RBIs.
• After playing in just seven of the team's 27 total games, Castro is already third on the team in runs batted in (7) and fourth in extra-base hits (2).
• Castro is batting .333/.375/.476 in 24 plate appearances this year.

LEX-TRA BASE HITS

• Junior outfielder Lexi Shaw has been driving the ball well lately, tallying three extra-base hits in her last four games, including a team-high two triples.
• In the series against Abilene Christian, Shaw hit .545 (6-11) with a double, a triple, a walk and five runs scored.
• Shaw is now hitting .273/.368/424 in 13 appearances this season.

SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
UTSA is in a bit of a slump as of late, scoring two or fewer runs in five out of their last eight and getting swept in their most recent conference series against Louisiana Tech. The Roadrunners aren't without dangerous hitters, though, with Celeste Loughman leading the way with a .328 batting average to go with two doubles, a triple and 16 RBIs. Bailee Baldwin is UTSA's best power hitter, driving in five doubles, four triples, seven home runs and 27 RBIs.

In the circle, the Roadrunners field two pitchers with sub-4.00 ERAs, leaning heavily on Madison Nelson (101.2 innings pitched), who's 6-10 with a 3.58 ERA. Clarissa Hernandez will likely also get some work, with the sophomore posting a team-best 7-4 record with a 3.94 ERA in 71.0 innings of work.

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.