Incarnate Word’s softball team traveled to Laredo for a three-game set at Texas A&M International and the game plan was straight forward, win.
And win the Cardinals did with the three-game Heartland Conference sweep the league-leading Dustdevils (20-26, 14-4). With a combination of pitching and power UIW got to 25-18 on the year but more importantly to 13-4 in the conference. Prior to this series TAMUI was first followed by St. Edward’s, St. Mary’s and UIW. The two Saints are completing their three-game series in Austin Monday after St. Ed’s won two over St. Mary’s on Sunday.
The race is a jumbled mess, and close as close can be right now. At the end of the day, Incarnate Word could move from fourth to a tie for third. Or it could remain in fourth but just one-half game out of first. Beyond all this the goal is to qualify for the yearend championship tournament April 29, 30 and May 1 in Austin. Five teams get in with the winner earning the NCAA’s automatic regional bid.
Game one in Laredo was a doozie. Tied after the regulation seven innings, the two squads battled on until the Cardinals got three in the top of the 12th inning for the win, 6-3. That came about on a three-run home run from Alex Carraman. That long ball came as Briana Sanchez was in the process of slamming the door on the Dustdevils bats over the last six innings. Sanchez worked all 12 frames allowing the three earned runs on six hits with three bases on balls and 11 strikeouts.
Game two was milder in that it was over in seven innings. Incarnate Word got it started with a pair of long balls in the first stanza leading to four quick runs. Melanie Padilla, 4-4 in the game, hit one over the wall after Lea Padilla had blasted her Heartland-leading 13th homer for three runs.
TAMUI tied it in the third but the Cardinals got the game-winners in the fourth on a Sarah Holub sacrifice fly and a Caroline Flores single. JudyAnn Gonzales came on in relief of Athea Surface in the fourth inning to earn the victory. Sanchez relieved in the sixth for the save.
Monday’s series finale was all about two-base hits for the Cardinals. But first, in the first, UIW plated three runs on four singles including Gio Nuanes’ two-RBI safety. Then the two-baggers began. In the fourth two doubles put two runners on ahead of Monica Acuna’s double for two RBI. In the sixth Carraman doubled home two and Lea Padilla doubled home another.
Sanchez again went the distance for the win, making her season mark to a Heartland best 20-6. She worked the seven innings allowing the three earned runs on 11 hits, one base on balls and 10 strikeouts.
There won’t be much celebrating for the Cardinals. They hit the road again on Tuesday for a non-conference doubleheader at Texas A&M / Kingsville beginning at 3 p.m.
Then, St. Edward’s comes to Cardinals Field for the year’s final regular season series. There will be two games Friday at 5 p.m. followed by a single 1 p.m. game on Saturday. This series likely will determine the seedings for the Heartland’s tournament.