SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word softball team closed out its three-game series against Nicholls State University with a thrilling, 9-1 run-rule victory on Saturday afternoon at H-E-B Field. 
 
Ashley Trapp pitched the full six innings, tying her career high with 12 strikeouts on the day. 
 
The Cardinal offense jumped ahead early with back-to-back home runs from Bella Sanchez and Aaliyah Garcia. B. Sanchez knocked a two-run homer to left-center field to bring in Savannah Behabetz and push the Cardinals ahead 2-0. Garcia followed with a solo homer to left field to extend the UIW lead to 3-0 at the end of the first inning. 
 
UIW did not let up and extended its edge to 7-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning. This explosive inning started with Kendall McGary's sacrifice fly to right field that brought in Teanna Lucio. B. Sanchez continued to have an explosive series, knocking an RBI single to center field to push the Cardinals ahead 5-0. Maddie Boldt stepped up to the plate ready to keep the Cardinals' momentum going. After dropping two strikes, she drove a hard hit to the right-field wall to register a triple that extended the advantage to 7-0. 
 
The Colonels were able to plate one run in the top of the sixth inning, UIW was not done. Lucio started the bottom of the frame with a triple to center field that brought in Avalon Sanchez to push the Cardinals ahead 8-1. With just one run needed to secure the run-rule victory, Behabetz stepped up to the plate. For the second time this series, Behabetz drove in the final run to give UIW a 9-1 victory.
 
UP NEXT 
The Cardinals head to Waco, Texas, to face Baylor University on Tuesday, March 29, at 6 p.m. CT. 
 
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.