THIBODAUX, La. – The University of the Incarnate Word softball team was on the road once again for a Southland Conference Series against Nicholls this weekend.
 
The first of three games was a defensive battle. While both teams were able to work runners on base the two remained scoreless through seven. For the Cardinals and Colonels eight innings wasn't even enough and the game was decided when Nicholls broke the tie, scoring in the bottom of the ninth.
 
There was a serious change of pace in the second game. The Cardinals fell behind 4-0 early but had two big hits in the middle of the game that swung things in UIW's favor. In the third inning Jaisy Caceres cleared the bases with a three RBI double to put the Cardinals right back in the game. In the following inning UIW once again loaded the bases. This time Victoria Altamirano hit a grand slam home run giving UIW its first lead of the weekended 7-4. In the sixth Altamirano sent a runner home with a single and Caceres hit a grand slam of her own, wrapping the game up 12-4 after six innings.
 
For the third straight game Nicholls was first on the board, 2-0 in the first inning. The were able to put up a run in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings to take the 3-2 lead with one to go. In the seventh Caceres and Gracie Alejo both had an RBI single, pushing that Cardinal lead to 5-2. The Cardinals didn't allow any runs in the final inning of the game and walked away with the game and series win on Friday afternoon.
 
UIW will play its first conference series of the season against the newest member of the SLC, SFA, on March 21-22.
 
FOLLOW ALONG 
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