SAN ANTONIO- The weather cleared up just in time for the University of the Incarnate Word softball team as it took the field for the second day as host of the H-E-B Classic. The Cardinals won their redemption game against North Dakota, 9-0, but fell to Toledo in the second game, 5-1.
GAME 1 NOTABLES
- Madison Floyd pitched a complete game shutout to earn her second victory in two days.
- Bella Sanchez continued the hot start to her freshman campaign with two more hits and two RBIs.
- Every starter recorded a hit for the Cardinals.
- It was a perfect day at the plate for Hailey Goins as she finished the day 2-2 with a pair of RBIs.
- Kendall McGary reached base in all three plate appearances, recording two walks and a single.
- Tori Alvarez-Lopez and Jaylin Olivarez both scored two runs each in the five-inning win.
GAME 2 NOTABLES
- Annie Gunther pitched six strong innings of one-run ball before Toledo got hot with two outs in the top of the seventh.
- Renee Hoffman had the lone RBI for the team with a big single in the bottom of the sixth to tie it up.
- McGary has a hit in all four games to start her collegiate career.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1 vs. North Dakota
It was all Cardinals from start to finish in this one as the team swung a hot bat in the five inning, 9-0 win. Floyd pitched another gem for UIW as she went five scoreless innings while striking out four.
UIW jumped early, scoring four runs in the first inning and batted through the lineup. The team saw five consecutive batters reach base, three of which were singles. With a run already on the board, Hailey Goins singled through the right side to give the Cardinals a two-run lead. Delaney Guzman and Teanna Lucio hit back-to-back singles to put the lead to 4-0.
It was more of the same in the second inning as the team added another four runs on four hits. Alvarez-Lopez hit a rocket into the right center gap to drive McGary in. Two batters later, Sanchez singled through the left side for an RBI. Olivarez and Goins capped off the scoring with back-to-back RBI doubles.
The Cardinals added an insurance run in the fourth to ensure the early inning victory over the Fighting Hawks.
Game 2 vs. Toledo
This game was a pitching duel between Gunther and Toledo's top pitcher, Erin Hunt. The freshman went head-to-head as the score was tied at 1-1 going into the final frame.
In the top of the sixth, Toledo was pressing as they had the bases loaded with no outs. But Gunther was able to induce a foul pop out to third for the first out.
With the bases still loaded, Toledo hit a rope to centerfield that might have gotten in if it was any other centerfielder. But not with McGary roaming in the outfield as she made a diving snow cone catch and had the presence of mind to get the runner out at second base as the runner left too early. The Cardinals escaped without any damage and new life.
Renee Hoffman had a huge hit in the bottom of the sixth inning that drove home the game to tie it up.
Unfortunately, the Rockets scored four runs with two outs in the top of the seventh inning to secure the victory.
UP NEXT
The Cardinals wrap-up the end of the H-E-B Classic tomorrow as they face off against Creighton at 10:30 a.m. (CT).
STAY TUNED
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The UIW softball team is on Twitter at @UIWSoftball and Instagram at @uiwsoftball.
