SAN ANTONIO- The University of the Incarnate Word softball team will host hometown rival UTSA for a non-conference matchup on Wednesday evening. This will be the second matchup between these two this season as the first took place earlier in February. The Cardinals are looking to keep their high going after beating Southeastern Louisiana in a conference series this past weekend.  

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THE LAST TIME THEY MET    

• In that February 21 matchup, UIW fell 5-6 to the Roadrunners.  

• Madison Floyd took the loss, pitching 1.2 innings with one hit, an error, and allowing one run scored. 

• Baylee Lemons and Victoria Altamirano each collected two hits. Together they had a home run, a double, and two RBIs. 

• Kendall McGary hit a two RBI homer in the top of the fourth. She finished the game 3-1.  

UTSA (7-32) 

The Roadrunners are in last place in the latest Conference USA softball standings. Currently on a four-game losing streak, UTSA is looking to turn things around. 

Kat Ibarra is still holding things down on the offensive side for UTSA. The junior infielder is batting a .362 in her total 130 at-bats. She has the ninth-best average in the conference with an impressive 47 hits to go along with 11 doubles, four triples, a home run, and 12 RBIs.  Though the Runners have another weapon in Marena Estell.  

Only batting a .255  with 13 hits, Estell is lower in the team average. What's impressive is her team-high 23 RBIs. She's been consistent for Coach Cheatham and her squad. In more, she's like an Aaliyah Garcia for UTSA. Not only can she bat and play the infield, she can pitch. Estell actually leads the staff for the Runners spotting a 4.97 era. With a 3-8 record on the season, she's tallied 37 strikeouts.  

UIW (13-23-1)  

The Cardinals have had their ups and downs but seem to be heading in the right direction as conference playoffs quickly approach. Winning the series against Southeastern should boost their confidence into the final games of the year.  

Tough offense was on display this past weekend as the Cardinals averaged higher runs than we'd seen all season. Ryleigh Mata still leads the team batting .317 but Kendall McGary is right behind.  Batting a .309 with 29 hits, McGary has had two doubles, two home runs, and 13 RBIs. She's been a consistent player all year and has proven to be one that's ready for pressured moments. Lemons and Altamirano are also both behind Mata and McGary with a .269 average.  

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--UIW CARDINALS--