NATCHITOCHES, LA. – The University of the Incarnate Word softball team moved its current win streak to five games in a row on Friday, defeating Southland Conference foe Northwestern State University 11-1 (6 inn.) and 3-1, in a doubleheader from Lady Demon Diamond.

Incarnate Word moves its overall record to 27-14 with a 12-5 record in Southland play, while Northwestern State falls to 20-21 on the year with a 9-8 league mark.

HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME ONE)

• Incarnate Word wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in the series opener, scoring three runs in the first inning on a two-out RBI triple from senior Madison Dorrow. Dorrow's extra base hit scored two runs, while the third came across the plate via a fielding error from NSU.
• Northwestern State answered back with a run in the bottom half of the opening inning, but it would be the only time the Demons brought a run home.
• Starter Bella Mitchell (9-4) kept the NSU offense in check for five innings, allowing one unearned run on seven hits with two strikeouts.
• The Cardinals plated another run in the third and another RBI double from Morrow to move the lead to 4-1.
• Incarnate Word broke the game wide open in the top of the sixth, scoring seven runs on six hits, including a one-out grand slam over the left field fence by junior Sydney Zenon.
• The Demons began the bottom of the sixth with a walk and a single to left before junior Ava Hernandez entered the game from the bullpen to get out of the jam and end the game in just six innings.

HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME TWO)

• Momentum carried over into the nightcap for Incarnate Word as senior Victoria Altamirano led off the game with a ground-rule double before stealing third and scoring on a throwing error by the NSU catcher for a 1-0 lead.
• Northwestern State evened the score at 1-all in the third before UIW retook the lead at 2-1 with an Altamirano home run in the fifth inning.
• The seventh inning of action saw Incarnate Word add an insurance run via an RBI single from junior Jaisy Caceres before sophomore Jenny Robledo sat the NSU offense down in order in the home half to preserve the sweep.

NOTES

• Robledo (4-3) secured the win in game two after giving up just one hit with two strikeouts across 3.2 innings of relief.
• Hernandez saw action in both games on Friday, pitching a combined three innings in the circle and allowing three hits with and two strikeouts, while senior Samantha Portillo pitched 1.1 innings of one-hit baseball in the second game, allowing just one unearned run with two strikeouts.
• Zenon had five hits on the day, including her game one grand slam, to go along with four RBI, while Dorrow was 2-for-3 with two doubles and four RBI in the first game.
• Among Altamirano's three hits in the doubleheader were a double and her 18th home run of the year, tying her program record total set in 2025. The senior also scored four runs and drew two walks.

UP NEXT
Incarnate Word and Northwestern State conclude the weekend series with one final game tomorrow at Noon.