SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word softball team split day three of the UIW Invitational. The Cardinals came up short (6-5) in the comeback against Cleveland State University (CSU). UIW then defeated the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, 4-2, on Saturday night at H-E-B Field.
 
Against CSU
The Cardinals went deep into their bullpen, bringing in Madison Floyd, Maddy Blake, Annie Gunther and Ashley Trapp into the circle. Floyd threw four strikeouts in 3.1 innings pitched, but ultimately took the loss.
 
CSU went up 2-0 early in the first inning. The Vikings added two more to the board after a double down the left-field line, pushing them ahead 4-0. Kendall McGary answered with an RBI double to left-center field to bring home two runners and cut the CSU advantage in half (4-2). Another two-RBI double from CSU brought Trapp to the circle as the Cardinals trailed 6-2.
 
Back-to-back three-up-three down defensive innings brought momentum for UIW. Maddie Boldt came out of the inning swinging, hitting a solo home run over the left-field wall to chip away at the CSU lead. (6-3) Trapp struck out two consecutive batters to keep the intensity going for UIW. Avalon Sanchez punched her second home run of the tournament to cut the lead to one, 6-5, but the Vikings were able to stay calm under pressure to secure the victory.
 
Against Green Bay
UIW put a run on the board first in the bottom of the first inning. Green Bay responded, placing two on the board to take back the lead. Ryleigh Mata came out in the bottom of the second inning with an RBI bunt single to drive in Abby Frank and tie the game at two-all. Trapp then got the Cardinals out of a dangerous bases-loaded situation in the top of the fifth.
 
Sanchez came out swinging in the bottom of the fifth, hitting her third home run of the tournament, and second of the day, to put the Cardinals ahead 3-2. Teanna Lucio added to the UIW lead with an RBI single that brought in Trapp to extend the lead to 4-2. Green Bay left one runner on and UIW secured the 4-2 victory.
 
UP NEXT
The Cardinals head to the final day of the UIW Invitational to host Prairie View A&M University. The first pitch is scheduled for 1 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.