Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 LAKE CHARLES, La. – The University of the Incarnate Word softball team took a tough loss to McNeese, but followed it up by keep its season alive with yet another win over Lamar on Saturday night.
 
Game number two of SLC bracket play for the Cardinals was delayed due to weather, giving the Cards a little more rest and enough time for star pitcher Larissa Jacquez to be back in the circle.
 
The tough number one ranked Cowgirls got up early scoring three runs in the first few innings. The Cardinals were not struggling at the plate by any means, getting runners in scoring position in four of the first five innings of the game. However, UIW was not able to cross home plate. That was until Prisais Quintero hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning putting the Cardinals within striking distance.
 
In the top of the seventh Victoria Altamirano, who spent most of the game being walked, has some savvy base running stealing third and eventually tying the game at three a piece. In the bottom of the inning McNeese hit a walk off single to advance to the regional final and setting the Cardinals up for their fifth game against Lamar this season.
 
In the game against Lamar, the UIW bats continued the hot streak putting up three runs in the first two innings. In the fourth the Lamar Cardinals cut the deficit to just one with two runs crossing the plate. UIW exploded in the bottom of the inning scoring five runs on four hits, including the first home run for Kennedy Hill. The UIW Cardinals held a comfortable 8-2 lead heading into the final innings of the game.
 
The Cardinals continued to roll and with the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth inning Quintero earned another RBI after being walked with the bases loaded, completing the run rule 10-2.
 
UIW will take on McNeese tomorrow at 1 p.m. CT and again 4 p.m. if necessary.
 
FOLLOW ALONG 
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics, visit uiwcardinals.com, follow the Cardinals on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like UIW Athletics on Facebook. 
Follow the team on X and on Instagram @UIWSoftball.