SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word Cardinals took two tightly-battled contests over the East Texas A&M University softball team on Tuesday evening at the H-E-B Field by scores of 6-3 and 5-3, respectively.
 
GAME 1: UIW 6, EAST TEXAS A&M 3
The Cardinals had the bases loaded with one out in bottom of the first and a sacrifice fly by Erin Perez drove in the first run of the game for the Cardinals.
 
In the third, KK Cosek (Helendale, Calif.) drilled a two-run double for the Lions, plating Gracie Alejo (Waco – Connally) and Tatum Wright (Frisco – Centennial). Cosek came around to score on an RBI base hit by Charli Anger (Lubbock – Cooper).
 
The Cardinals answered with five runs in the bottom of the third via the long ball. Victoria Altamirano hit a solo shot and then Perez hit a grand slam.
 
Cosek went 3 for 4 in the game, while Wright, Anger, and Alejo had two hits each in the game. Emma Olsen (Elk Grove, Calif.) was charged with four earned runs in two innings for the loss.
 
For the Cardinals, Bella Mitchell tossed a complete game for the win. She allowed three earned runs and struck out four.
 
GAME 2: UIW 5, EAST TEXAS A&M 3
Four runs came around to score in the second for the Lions as both Madison Dorrow and Kennedy Hill hit back-to-back solo home runs, and then Altamirano hit a two-run double.
 
The Lions had the bases loaded with an out in the fourth and Jaylin Olguin (Fontana, Calif.) hit a two-run single, with Anger and Aaliyah Wilcox (Covington, Ga.) coming around to score. Later in the inning, Emmie Miehe (Cameron Park, Calif.) stole home to bring the Lions within one.
 
With no outs in the bottom of the fourth, the Cardinals had the bases loaded. Bryanna Fuentes hit a sacrifice fly to center to drive in another run for UIW.
 
Wright collected two hits in the second game as well. Madison Kloepper (Llano) tossed the complete game, but got the loss. She allowed five earned runs.
 
Ava Hernandez got the start and the win for the Cardinals. She left the game after 3.1 innings, being charged with three earned runs. Jenny Robledo got the save, tossing 3.2 shutout innings.
 
The Lions fall to 6-39 on the season and 1-19 in Southland Conference play, while the Cardinals are now 29-15 overall and 14-6 in SLC action.
 
UP NEXT
The two teams close out the series at 1 p.m. on Wednesday.