HOUSTON – The University of the Incarnate Word softball team swept the Houston Christian Huskies over the weekend.
 
The first game of the series was all Cardinals. The first three batters of the game, Victoria Altamirano, Dominique Guerra and Erin Perez all were walked, and the bases were loaded. UIW took advantage of the early bases runners and was able to bat around the entire lineup scoring five runs and taking control of the game. The Cardinals added two more runs over the course of the next six innings and Larissa Jacquez stood strong, holding HCU scoreless, only allowing three hits. UIW shutout the Huskies in game one 7-0.
 
In game two the Cardinals started hot once again as Altamirano hit a home run on just the second pitch of the game. This time HCU was able to respond putting up three runs in the bottom of the inning to take their first lead of the series. In the fifth inning Ryleigh Mata hit a crucial RBI triple to cut the lead to just one, 3-2. Baylee Lemons followed this up with a bunt to score Mata and tie the game.
 
There would be no break in 3-3 tie after the seventh, eighth or ninth innings. In the top of the tenth Perez doubled to left center field and scored Guerra. Bryanna Fuentes stepped up to the plate and singled down the left field line, adding to the Cardinal lead. The Cardinals took the game by a final of 5-3, winning its fourth SLC series of the year.
 
In the final game of the series Altamirano once again hit a lead off home run to put the Cardinals up early. Late in the game Erin Perez hit a two-RBI double adding to the UIW lead, 3-0. The Huskies didn't go away, putting up one run in the bottom of the seventh. The comeback would stop their and UIW completed the sweep with a 3-1 win.
 
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