SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word softball team defeated the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay 9-4 on Friday evening at H-E-B Field.
 
Madison Floyd tossed 4.2 innings with six strikeouts to lead UIW in the circle. Avalon Sanchez registered three RBIs in her three-run home run. Savannah Behabetz and Abby Frank followed with two RBIs against Green Bay.
 
The Phoenix started off the game with four hits in the top of the first, including a two-run home run to put them ahead early before Floyd entered the circle for the Cardinals.
 
UIW answered right back with a big second inning, registering seven runs on five hits to take the lead, 7-2. Behabetz started the UIW bats off with a hard, bases-clearing triple to the left field wall to tie the game at two apiece. Sanchez continued the momentum with a three-run home run to push the Cardinals ahead, 7-2.
 
Floyd kept the energy going on the defensive end, tallying her third strike out on the night to help UIW keep its the advantage. Abby Frank came out in the bottom of the third with an RBI single to add another run to the board for the Cardinals (8-2).
 
In the top of the fourth, Green Bay hit a solo homer over the right field wall to cut the lead to 8-3.
 
Frank tallied another RBI to bring in Lauren Olivarri in the bottom of the fifth inning as UIW extended its advantage to 9-3. Maddy Blake then entered the circle for the Cardinals.
 
The Phoenix offense chipped away at UIW's lead with an RBI single to shortstop to bring them within five runs (9-4) with the bases loaded, but Blake and the Cardinals got out of the inning with their comfortable five-run lead intact.
 
Blake ended the night with a strikeout to secure the 9-4 victory against Green Bay.
 
UP NEXT
The Cardinals prepare for their first doubleheader of the season. They will face Cleveland State University on Saturday, Feb. 12, at 3:30 p.m. CT, followed by a rematch against Green Bay scheduled for 6:15 p.m.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics, visit uiwcardinals.com, follow the Cardinals on Twitter @UIWAthletics, and like UIW Athletics on Facebook.  
Follow the team on Twitter @UIWSoftball and Instagram @uiwsoftball.