EL PASO, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word softball team fell, 10-8, in its final game of the three-game series against the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). 
 
"[It] was a good competitive series," said head coach Kimberly Dean. "We did a lot of positive things and had endless fight and energy for the majority of it. The girls are doing a great job learning from each inning and making adjustments a lot faster. We have a few areas to secure up, but all in all we're really proud of the direction we're going. We're looking forward to getting back on the field Tuesday."
 
NOTABLES 

• Aaliyah Garcia registered the first Cardinal grand slam of the season, and her first home run at UIW. 
• Kendall McGary tallied her second home run of the season. McGary led the Cardinals with four RBIs on the day. 
• The Cardinal pitching staff did not give up a triple, wild pitch or hit by pitch. 

 
UIW 8, UTEP 10
The Cardinals battled in a close matchup against the Miners to close out the three-game series. With three lead changes and a total of 16 hits on the day, UIW and UTEP fought through all seven innings. McGary and Garcia led the Cardinals in the batter's box with four RBIs each. 
 
McGary started the Cardinal offense with an RBI single to right field to place UIW on the board first in the top of the first inning. She continued her momentum into the third inning with a home run over the right-field wall to extend the Cardinal lead to 3-0. 
 
Natalie Myers registered two strikeouts before the Miners came back in the top of the fourth with a two-run home run to cut the Cardinal lead to one (3-2). With a tough inning in the circle for UIW, UTEP was able to take the lead, 6-3, to end the fourth inning. 
 
McGary sparked the Cardinal offense once again with an RBI single to begin to chip away at the Miner lead. With the bases loaded and two outs, Garcia stepped up to the plate. With an 0-1 count, Garcia knocked a grand slam over the right-field wall to give the advantage back to UIW in the top of the fifth inning (8-6). 
 
Garcia entered the circle in the fifth frame and struck out two batters in the 1-2-3 inning for the Cardinals. However, the Miners were able to answer with a bases-loaded double to take the edge (10-8) once again heading to the final inning. UIW was unable to respond and UTEP took the 10-8 victory to secure the three-game series. 
 
UP NEXT 
UIW heads to Abilene, Texas, for a doubleheader against Abilene Christian University. The first game is scheduled for Tuesday, March 8, at noon 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.