SAN ANTONIO- The #4 University of the Incarnate Word softball team defeated #5 Lamar University in the first round of the Southland Conference Tournament by a score of 5-4 in a game that went to eight innings. This is the first postseason win in history for UIW.  

Lamar (5-4) 

In a thrilling eight inning match, the UIW Cardinals beat the Beaumont Cardinals off a walk off RBI single by junior, Baylee Lemons. Freshman Jaisy Caceres ran in for the game winning score. 

After starting the game down 1-0, UIW struggled to find its' offensive groove. Pitcher Larissa Jacquez had her first career playoff start and tried to hold up the defense for the Cardinals. Jacquez pitched 4.1 innings and finished with two strikeouts.  

 The game stayed stagnant throughout the next four innings until Lamar extended their lead 3-0 early in the fifth. As time was running out UIW knew they needed to get their offense going. Senior leader Avalon Sanchez stepped up to the plate and delivered the much needed momentum for the Cardinals. With two on base, Sanchez slammed a double into left field to bring home Dominique Guerra and Victoria Altamirano to cut the Beaumont Cardinals' lead to one. With Sanchez moving to third and Jillian Guiterrez now at second, Maddison Guillen hit a single up the middle for UIW to take the lead in the bottom of the fifth.  

Both Cardinals went scoreless in the sixth but Lamar was able to tie the game and force extra innings after scoring a single run in the seventh. 

Samantha Portillo kept her team poised early in the eighth getting the three outs while only facing four batters. With a win on the line, UIW showed experience in the bottom of the inning. Lemons came up to bat with two outs and only one Cardinal on base. After falling 0-2 in the count early on, Lemons slashed the ball to center field and Caceres sprinted in. The RBI single was the walk off UIW needed to move on to the next round of the Southland Confernce Tournament. 

With the win, UIW will now face #1 McNeese tomorrow morning at 11 am.  

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--UIW CARDINALS--