SAN ANTONIO- The University of the Incarnate Word softball team won back-to-back games to open the 2023 season. After beating Green Bay, 6-0, in the first game of the day, the Cardinals posted a monstrous high of 12 runs in the first inning against Eastern Illinois (EIU) to win 12-3. 

UIW vs Green Bay 

There was no better way to start the season for Coach Dean as UIW shutout Green Bay to secure the first win of the year.  

The Phoenix struck first as they took the lead 1-0 in the top of the third after a fielding error by the Cardinals. UIW took a bit to follow but came back swinging in the bottom of the fourth. Baylee Lemons singled for her first career hit at UIW and pumped up the momentum for the Word. Jasmine Sierra followed behind her and nabbed a single herself to put her and Lemons on first and second base. Soon enough, Kendall McGary came through to bring two UIW runners home and make the score 2-1. 

It wasn't until the bottom of the fifth where the Cardinals really took control of the game. In the eight batters that went up to the plate, four of them got a hit.  UIW scored four runs with only one left on base and extended the lead to what would be the final score at 6-1.  

Aaliyah Garcia left the game with a win after a stellar performance for her first start of the season. In the seven innings she pitched, Green Bay only tallied one singular hit. 

UIW vs EIU  

After one of the most historical starts in UIW softball history the Cardinals beat the Panthers of EIU, 12-3. 

In one inning, the Cardinals scored 12 runs off of nine hits and left only one on base. The freshman, Victoria Altamirano started off UIW's hot streak by planting her first career home run to center field. Only one hitter after, Jasmine Sierra homered to left field and brought home Lemons to make the score 3-0. Giselle Villarreal was walked for the Cardinals to score their fourth run of the game and bases were quickly reloaded as Ryleigh Mata stepped up to the plate. Mata singled up the middle and advanced to second on a throwing error scoring two Cardinals at home plate. Aaliyah White also singled and another throwing error brought the previous hitter, Mata, in for another run. Another couple of errors and a few big hits from the Cardinals brought UIW to an overall 12-0 lead at the end of the first.  

The big performance in the first secured the win for the bright futured Cardinal team. Freshman Samantha Portillo tucked the big win under her belt in her first collegiate career start after striking out a total of six batters. In the five innings pitched, Portillo only allowed six hits and one walk.  

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--UIW CARDINALS--