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Softball News

CARDINALS HAVE IMPACT ON ALL-HEARTLAND TEAM -- posted Friday, May 9 2008

Incarnate Word’s softball team had a serious presence on the All-Heartland Conference squad announced by the league as four Cardinals were voted first team.

UIW placed three seniors on the elite unit. Melissa Perez, as both a pitcher and first baseman, earned the utility player position and this was the fourth straight year for her to be All-Heartland.

Picking up her third league honor was outfielder Allison Britt. Patty Madera, at third base, was voted onto the team for the second time.

The fourth UIW slot on the first team went to junior catcher Ashley Hinojosa. This is the third time she has been All-Heartland.

Not done yet, the Cardinals placed on player on the second team as sophomore Michelle Luna was voted on as an outfielder.

The Cardinals finished the year at 31-26 and won their way into the Heartland’s post-season championship tournament where they finished third. Those 31 wins were a plus-12-game turnaround under first year Coach Nora May-Davila.

Madera, Britt Named All-South Central Region -- posted Wednesday, May 7 2008

After being the top two hitters during 2008, Patty Madera and Allison Britt were honored by the region as they were voted to the first- and second-team, respectively, All-South Central Region team, it was announced Wednesday afternoon.

Madera, the Cardinals third baseman, led the team with a .413 batting average in 56 games played. Her 74 hits were the second highest on the team and her 18 doubles led the squad. Entering her senior season, Madera was tied for the all-time home run record with 23. Six 2008 home runs later, Madera concluded her Cardinal career as Incarnate Word’s all-time leader.

Britt, also a senior, leaves Incarnate Word with her name atop the Cardinal career lists. This season, Britt batted .403 for the year and was one of two players on the squad to start all 57 games. She had the most hits (81) in the most at-bats (201) and the most runs (52). Britt also hit a home run, an inside the park round tripper. She was also 34-of 39 when stealing bases.

Madera and Britt became the first Cardinals to be named to an NCAA all-region team since the 2004 season. Britt had been previously named to the NFCA All-Region the last two years.

-UIW-

EIGHT PLAYERS AGREE TO PLAY AT UIW -- posted Wednesday, May 7 2008

On the heels of a successful rebound season for Incarnate Word softball the Cardinals are experiencing the results of concentrated recruiting with the announcement of eight new players who will be on the UIW campus come the fall.

UIW Coach Nora May-Davila said the eight players all have inked their national letters of intent and will be enrolled in classes for the 2008 fall semester. One of the eight is a catcher, three are outfielders, two are infielders, one a pitcher and one a combination pitcher-infielder.

All will be freshmen and three are San Antonio high school products while one is from Boerne.

CATCHER
Sara Holub, Hockley (Waller HS)

PITCHER
Lea Padilla, El Paso (Bel Air HS)

PITCHER-INFIELD
McKenzie Montgomery, Macon, Mo. (Macon HS)

INFIELD
Chelsea Muskopf, Boerne (Boerne HS)
Melanie Padilla, San Antonio (Marshall HS)

OUTFIELD
Jordan Mattison, League City (Clear Creek HS)
Kelley Moritz, San Antonio (Churchill HS)
Caroline Flores, San Antonio (O’Connor HS)

The 2008 version of the Cardinals finished the season with a winning mark of 31-26 including a third place finish in the Heartland Conference regular season as well as in the league’s championship tournament. Those 31 wins in Coach May’s first year represent a turnaround of plus-12 victories from the previous year.

Cardinals Eliminated from Conference Tourney -- posted Saturday, May 3 2008

The 2008 Incarnate Word Cardinal softball season came to a close when UIW dropped two games in the Heartland Conference Championship Tournament. The Cardinals first lost a 3-1 decision to tournament favorite St. Mary’s and moved into the loser’s bracket and faced St. Edward’s for the second time in two days. There, the Cardinals lost 6-1.

Against the Rattlers, a pitching duel between UIW’s Melissa Perez and St. Mary’s Malissa Magee kept the game scoreless until the Rattlers scored two in the top of the sixth. They added one more in the top of the seventh before the Cardinals erased the shutout. With two outs and a runner on first, Allison Britt placed a triple in right center field, giving Michelle Luna a chance to score to cut the lead to 3-1. The next batter recorded the out to make the score final.

At the plate, each team recorded only four hits. For UIW, Britt and Perez collected one hit apiece while Luna went 2-for-3. Perez recorded five strikeouts while giving up three runs off four hits and walking three.

In the final game of the day, UIW faced the Hilltoppers, who they had sent into the loser’s bracket the night before. A run was not scored until St. Ed’s put three on the board in the bottom of the fourth. The ‘Toppers added three more in the bottom of the sixth before the Cards once again erased the shut out in the top of the seventh.

The run came when pinch runner JudyAnn Gonzales was able score from third on a wild pitch from the Hilltopper pitcher. The final score was 6-1.

Britt and Becky Moritz each went 2-for-3 while Perez and Patty Madera each nabbed one hit. The Cardinals saw three different pitchers take the circle in the outing. Perez started her second game of the day, giving up three runs off five hits in 3.2 innings. She walked three and struck out three. She suffered the loss and finished her senior campaign with an 18-9 record. Rachel Hughes pitched 1.2 innings of relief and Amanda Sparks saw 0.2 innings of work.

The Cardinals end 2008 with an overall record of 31-26.

-UIW-

Cardinals Win, Will Face St. Mary's Friday at Noon -- posted Thursday, May 1 2008

The Incarnate Word Cardinals defeated the St. Edward’s Hilltoppers when it counted, in the Heartland Conference Championship Tournament. In the 2-1 Cardinal win, UIW advances to the winner’s bracket of the tournament and will face St. Mary’s Friday at noon. The win gives UIW a 31-24 overall record.

The Cardinals and Hilltoppers held each other at bay as the score remained blank through the first 3.5 innings of play. Then, Lexi Stephens singled through the left side with the bases loaded, allowing Karen Varteressian to score before Melissa McSheffery recorded the final out as she too tried to cross the plate but was gunned down by Cardinal left fielder Serena Smitham for the final out of the inning.

In UIW’s next at-bat, two Hilltopper errors proved costly to St. Ed’s as the Cardinals scored one run to knot the score. With two outs, Cece Duron reach on an infield error from the third baseman McSheffery and later scored on McSheffery’s second consecutive error of the inning.

In the top of the sixth, after Serena Smitham was issued a one-out walk, Patty Madera came to the plate. She doubled to left center, and Smitham was allowed to score after another costly Hilltopper error.

The Cardinals carried the 2-1 lead to the end of the game for the win. UIW was able to post the victory after just being held to three hits. Madera, Becky Moritz and Cece Duron took the hits, each going 1-for-3.

Melissa Perez posted her 18th victory after throwing her 20th complete game of the season. She gave up one run off seven hits while walking five and striking out six. Robin Becker suffered the loss, falling to 23-6 on the year.

UIW will face regular season champion St. Mary’s Friday at noon in the second round of Heartland Conference tournament. The Rattlers defeated Lincoln Thursday, 8-0. The loser of the UIW/St. Mary’s affair will face the winner of the Lincoln/St.Edward’s matchup at 6 p.m. Friday evening. All games are being played at Rattler Field at St. Mary’s.

-UIW-

Softball Tournament Bracket Announced -- posted Tuesday, April 29 2008

The Incarnate Word Cardinals will face the St. Edward’s Hilltoppers in the opening round of the Heartland Conference Championships. The tournament is being hosted by St. Mary’s and will start on Thursday. UIW and St. Ed’s will face off at 1:30 p.m. from Rattler Field.

The Cardinals posted a league record of 19-7 for a third place finish and St. Edward’s finished second in the conference standings. The Hilltoppers claimed the season series against the Cardinals, winning three of the four games.

Regular season champion St. Mary’s received a first-round bye and will face the winner of Game 1 that will pit Lincoln against either Oklahoma Panhandle or Texas A&M International. The latter two are scheduled to play make-up games before Thursday to determine the #5 seed.

All tournament games will be broadcast live via the St. Mary’s athletics website: www.stmarytx.edu/athletics.

-UIW-

Seniors Shine in 2008 Regular Season Finale -- posted Saturday, April 26 2008

On the final day of the 2008 regular season, the Incarnate Word Cardinals and the #9 St. Mary’s Rattlers split a Heartland Conference doubleheader - a 4-2 UIW win and a 7-6 Rattler victory - on the St. Mary’s campus in San Antonio.

In a repeat pitching duel from Friday’s opening game, UIW’s Melissa Perez and St. Mary’s Malissa Magee did not allow a runner to cross the plate until the Rattler did so in the bottom of the fifth inning for a 1-0 lead.

Incarnate Word scored its first runs of the series in its next at-bat courtesy of three Rattler errors. Allison Britt and Serena Smitham both scored to take the 2-1 lead.

StMU knotted the scored in the bottom of the sixth, but UIW broke the tie in the top of the seventh. With two runners on base, Britt reached on a sac bunt, allowing Cece Duron to score from third. Then, with Michelle Luna on third, Patty Madera flied into a double play, giving Luna a chance to score before the DP was recorded. With that score, UIW extended the lead to 4-2.

Perez was able to get the first two batters to pop up before striking out the last batter to claim the victory for UIW. In her last regular season start in the Red and Black, Perez pitched 7.0 innings, giving up two runs off eight hits. She walked four and struck out four in the 144-pitch performance.

From the plate, only three Cardinals notched hits - Britt, Duron and Luna. The trio, together with Smitham, each scored a run.

In Game 2, seniors Madera and Duron belted solo home runs in their regular season finales as the Cardinals let a late-inning rally erase their lead in a 7-6 loss.

The Rattlers struck first putting up two runs in the bottom of their first at-bat. UIW tied it up in the top of the second, but StMU went ahead, 3-2, in the bottom of the same inning. Each team added a run in the third inning as the Rattlers took a 4-3 lead. The Cards punched through a run in each of the next three innings to take a 6-4 lead. But a three-run bottom of the sixth was just enough for the Rattlers to squeak by with the one-run victory.

Amanda Sparks, who came in to relieve starter Rachel Hughes, in the third inning suffered the loss after giving up the three runs off two hits and two walks. She struck out one. Hughes gave up four runs off seven hits in 2.1 innings of work.

From the plate, the Cards broke through for 12 hits after only taking seven hits in the first three games combined against the Rattlers. The seniors in the lineup - Madera, Perez, Britt, and Duron - all had multi-hit performances. Madera led the flock with a 3-for-4 outing with a run scored and an RBI. The others had two hits. Britt also added a stolen base.

The Cardinals finished the 2008 regular season with a third place showing in the Heartland Conference with a 19-9 league mark. UIW also broke the 30-win barrier with an overall record of 30-24. St. Mary’s finished first in the league with a 28-2 record and a 50-10 overall mark.

The next stop for the Cardinals will be the Heartland Conference Championship Tournament starting Thursday at St. Mary’s. Please stay tuned to www.uiw.edu/athletics for bracket and starting time announcements.

-UIW-

UIW Bats Silenced by Rattlers -- posted Friday, April 25 2008

The Incarnate Word Cardinal offense was shut down by the St. Mary’s Rattlers, 5-0 and 2-0, as it was held to just two hits in each game of Friday’s doubleheader held on the UIW campus.

In the opening game, the teams kept the scoreboard blank through four innings before St. Mary’s put up a run in the top of the fifth. Then, the Rattlers rallied in the top of the seventh for four runs to take the 5-0 lead.

Seniors Patty Madera - who collected a hit in each game - and Corrie Gonzales claimed UIW’s two hits on Senior day. Melissa Perez suffered the loss for the Cardinals as she gave up all five runs off nine hits and three walks in 6.1 innings of work. She struck out two in the outing.

For the Rattlers, Malissa Magee won her 33rd decision, pitching a complete game shutout with six Ks.

In Game 2, the Rattlers struck first, plating a run in the top of the opening frame. Their next run came in the top of the sixth for the 2-0 final score.

Rachel Hughes suffered the loss as she allowed the two runs off five scattered hits. She walked two and struck out four in her last home game. From the plate, Madera and Cece Duron each nabbed a hit.

UIW falls to 29-23 on the year with an 18-8 Heartland Conference mark. St. Mary’s is now 49-9 and 25-1, respectively.

The Rattlers and Cardinals will continue the cross-town rivalry Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m., this time, from the St. Mary’s campus.

-UIW-

Cardinals Complete Sweep of Falcons -- posted Sunday, April 20 2008

ODESSA, Texas - The Incarnate Word softball team (29-21, 18-6) once again swept Texas-Permian Basin as the four-game series concluded with 7-0 and 6-4 wins over the Falcons.

UIW did not delay in Game 1, posting five runs in the opening frame. After Madera and Corrie Gonzales each drove in a run, Cece Duron hit a bases clearing double with the bases loaded to cap the five-run first.

In the Cardinals’ half of the second inning, UIW scored one run off two hits to take a 6-0 lead. UTPB scored four of its own in the bottom of the fourth, but could not produce any more runs to make the 6-4 final.

From the plate, Allie Britt and Madera were the only Cardinals to nab more than one hit with Britt going 3-for-4 and Madera going a perfect 2-for-2 with a walk. Britt added two runs and stole a season-high four bases.

Melissa Perez was handed the win for pitching 7.0 innings, allowing four runs off eight hits. She struck out eight and walked only one.

In Game 2, three innings of ball were played before either team crossed the plate. The Cardinals then sandwiched a five-run inning in the top of the fifth between single-run innings for the eventual 7-0 final score.

UIW took advantage of four Falcon errors as Patty Madera led the way with three hits, including a triple, three RBI and two runs scored for UIW. Ashley Hinojosa and Michelle Luna added two hits apiece. Serena Smitham also crossed the dish twice.

From the circle, Amanda Sparks took the win after pitching 7.0 shut out innings, scattering seven hits and striking out four.

The Cardinals return to the field Friday to open the final series of the 2008 regular season against crosstown rival St. Mary’s at 6 p.m. at UIW. The series concludes with a doubleheader at St. Mary’s Saturday beginning at 2 p.m.

-UIW-

Hinojosa, Perez Belt Homers in Sweep -- posted Saturday, April 19 2008

ODESSA, Texas - The Incarnate Word Cardinals improved their Heartland Conference record to 16-6 with a two-game sweep of Texas-Permian Basin Saturday in Odessa. UIW shutout the Falcons, 7-0, in the opener and took an 11-3 victory in the nightcap.

In the opening frame of the series opener, the Cardinals scored one run off three hits and left the bases loaded. UIW carried the 1-0 lead into the top of the sixth when it put together a rally.

Corrie Gonzales led off the inning with a single through left side and moved to second when Michelle Luna was issued a walk. Allie Britt then laid down a bunt to load the bases. With one out, Patty Madera hit into a fielder’s choice to leave the bases loaded, but Gonzales was out at the plate. Luna and Britt scored when Melissa Perez singled to center field, extending UIW’s lead to 3-0. Then, Ashley Hinojosa came to the plate and blasted her 14th round-tripper of the year over the right field wall to cap UIW’s five-run sixth inning to give it the lead, 6-0.

Incarnate Word added another run in the top of the seventh for the 7-0 final score.

Perez capped the game with a game-leading four hits, including a double. She also notched three RBI and scored one run in the outing. Making the start for the Cards, Perez pitched a complete game shutout, giving up only three hits and striking out three while not issuing a single walk.

In the nightcap, the teams kept the scoreboard blank through the first two innings, before the Cardinals struck in the top of the third frame. Allie Britt led off the inning with a single to left field and moved to second a throwing error from the Falcon shortstop. She moved to third on a groundout from Serena Smitham before scoring on a sac fly from Patty Madera. With two outs, Perez and Hinojosa launched back-to-back home runs for the first time this season to give UIW a 3-0 advantage.

UIW added three runs in the top of the fourth as Catherine Bartlet drove in two runs with a single to right field. Madera scored later in the inning to extend the Cardinals’ lead to 6-0.

In the fifth, Incarnate Word added another four runs. After Rachel Hughes flied out to start the inning, Corrie Gonzales tripled to right field and scored on a Cece Duron single. Then, after Britt reached on a walk, Smitham put down UIW’s second triple of the inning to clear the bases. Madera was then issued a walk, provoking a Falcon pitching change. Perez flied out to left field to score Smitham and give UIW a 10-0 lead.

The shutout was erased in the fifth inning when UTPB scored three runs off five hits to cut the lead to 10-3. But UIW added another run in the top of the sixth to run-rule the game after keeping the Falcons scoreless in their half of the inning.

From the plate, Corrie Gonzales finished with a 3-for-3 performance and two runs scored with an RBI. Britt took two hits and scored two runs while Smitham, Barlet, and Perez each drove in two runs.

Hughes made the start for the Cardinals and was issued the win after allowing three runs off seven hits in 4.1 innings of work. She struck out three while walking one.

As for Hinojosa, the reigning Heartland Conference Hitter of the Week as hit seven home runs in her last 11 games.

The series will conclude Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. in Odessa.

-UIW-

Cardinal Catcher Named Hitter of the Week -- posted Friday, April 18 2008

Ashley Hinojosa was named the Heartland Conference Hitter of the Week after she helped lead Incarnate Word to a 3-1 week offensively.


Hinojosa led the Cardinals with an .875 batting average in the four games. She collected seven hits in her eight at-bats, scoring four runs and driving home seven. She also cranked out three home runs to increase her team-leading number to 13 on the year.


Hinojosa collected two RBI in her first three games before settling for one in the final game of the week. She was also issued five walks and did not strikeout once this past week.


The Cardinals will face Texas-Permian Basin in a four-game series over the weekend in Odessa.

-UIW-

Cardinals Drop Two at Abilene Christian -- posted Tuesday, April 15 2008

ABILENE, Texas - The Cardinal softball team suffered a pair of losses Tuesday afternoon in their final non-conference match-up of 2008 at Abilene Christian. The Game 1 final score was 7-1 and 9-2 was the final in the nightcap as Incarnate Word’s losing streak fell to three games.

After a scoreless first inning to open Game 1, the home team scored two runs in the bottom of the second and four in the bottom of the third to take a commanding 6-0 lead into the fourth inning. The four runs came off two ACU hits, two UIW errors, a walk, a passed ball and a wild pitch.

In the top of the sixth, UIW erased the potential Wildcat shutout as Allison Britt led off with a single to right field. The next two batters then recorded back-to-back outs for clean-up hitter Melissa Perez. She singled to right field to move Britt over to second base. Ashley Hinojosa then hit a first-pitch, left field single to score Britt from second base to make the score 6-1.

ACU added another run in the bottom of the same inning for the final 7-1 tally.

At the plate, the Cardinals garnered six hits with Perez and Hinojosa taking two apiece. Britt and Becky Moritz each grabbed one. Perez also suffered the loss, as she gave up six total runs – four earned – off five hits. She walked three and struck out two. Amanda Sparks gave up the ‘Cats final run as she pitched one inning of relief, giving up three hits.

The Wildcats were the first to strike once again in the second half of the doubleheader, putting a run up in the bottom of the first. In the top of the second, however, UIW struck back. After Becky Moritz led off by reaching on an infield error, she was replaced on the base paths by Jenny Whitt, who moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from twin sister, Erin. Cece Duron then reached on another Wildcat error, sending Jenny Whitt across the dish to tie the game.

ACU, however, was not fazed as it added another run in the bottom of the second and plated two more in the bottom of the third. In the top of the fourth, Hinojosa led off for the Cardinals with a double to left field. With one out and Corrie Gonzales pinch-running for Hinojosa, Erin Whitt grounded out to second base, allowing the base runner to advance to third. UIW starting pitcher Rachel Hughes singled to center field to score Gonzales to add another run to UIW’s run column and the 4-2 score.

But in the bottom of the sixth, ACU added five runs off three hits, including a three-run Wildcat home run and the 9-2 final score.

Britt was the only Cardinal to tally more than one hit as she went 2-for-4. She also collected a stolen base. Rachel Hughes suffered her second consecutive loss, giving up seven runs off nine hits in 5.1 innings pitched. She struck out three in the outing.

Incarnate Word remains on the road through the weekend, heading out west to face Texas-Permian Basin in Odessa Saturday and Sunday in a Heartland Conference four-game series.

-UIW-

Cardinals, Hilltoppers Split Twin Bill -- posted Sunday, April 13 2008

In a crucial doubleheader that had the potential to alter the Heartland Conference standings, St. Edward’s and Incarnate Word – who were second and third respectively – faced off and split the twinbill to keep the standings the same.

In the first game, the Melissa Perez dominated the Hilltoppers with a complete-game, two-hit shutout. In her seven innings of work, Perez gave up two hits and issued only one walk while tying her season-high strikeout total with nine victims.

At the plate, UIW was held to six hits and just two runs. The pair of runs came in the bottom of the fourth, courtesy of Ashley Hinojosa. With Jenny Whitt, who was pinch running for Patty Madera, on second base, Hinojosa launched her 12th home run of the year to straight-away center field to give UIW its only runs of the game.

The six hits came from Allison Britt, Serena Smitham, Madera, Hinojosa, Becky Moritz and Erin Whitt.

For St. Ed’s, right fielder Lisa Paul put down the team’s only hits.

Game 2 proved to be a different story for both teams. Although no one crossed the plate, the Hilltoppers grabbed as many hits in the first inning alone as they did in the previous game as they started the 12-hit parade early on.

The score remained blank until the top of the third when St. Edward’s took advantage of a lead-off walk and four hits to score five runs. In the rally, Courtney Lavender came to the plate with the bases loaded and hit a base-clearing triple for three RBI. While standing at third, Lavender attempted to take home on a dropped pitch from UIW catcher Hinojosa, but was gunned down for the second out of the inning as she tried to make her way back to third base. Then, second baseman Karen Varteressian launched a solo shot to left center to cap off the five-run inning.

UIW tried to close the gap in the bottom of the same inning when with two outs, Smitham took a pitch to the shoulder to land on first base. Madera hit a stand-up double to left field, allowing Smitham to score from first to cut the deficit to four at 5-1.

The Hilltoppers scored another three runs in the top of the fourth to extend the lead, 8-1. In the home half of the same inning, Hinojosa once again hit one out of the park for her team-leading 13th home run of the year, making the score, 8-2. SEU added another run in each of the final two frames for the final 10-2 win.

Incarnate Word saw four pitchers in Game 2 with starter Amanda Sparks suffering the loss. She gave up three runs in 2.1 innings off five hits. Rachel Hughes, Perez, and JudyAnn Gonzales combined for the final 4.2 innings and the final seven runs. The four pitchers combined for four walks and one strikeout.

From the plate, UIW was held to just four hits. Madera, Perez, Hinojosa and Michelle Luna each nabbed one.

The loss halts UIW’s win streak at a season-high eight games.

With the split UIW is now 14-6 in league play and in third place while St. Edward’s remained in second place with a 16-4 Heartland mark. Overall, the Cardinals are 25-19 while SEU is 32-11.

UIW will step out of Heartland Conference action for the final time this season to face Abilene Christian Tuesday afternoon in Abilene. The doubleheader will be the first of the Cardinals’ final five twinbills remaining in the 2008 season.

-UIW-

Madera Claims Hitter of the Week Honors -- posted Thursday, April 10 2008

For the second time this season, Incarnate Word’s Patty Madera has been named the Heartland Conference Hitter of the Week for her performance during the week of March 31-April 6.

While at Texas A&M International over last weekend, Madera recorded a multi-hit performance in three of the four games, compiling a .615 batting average with seven runs scored and eight RBI.

Five of her eight hits were for extra-bases with three doubles and two home runs in UIW’s four game sweep of the Dustdevils. Madera, a junior from San Antonio, recorded six RBI in Friday’s doubleheader alone.

Madera and the Cardinals will look to add to their longest win streak of the year - currently at seven games - Sunday when UIW hosts St. Edward’s in a twinbill beginning at 1 p.m. from Cardinal Field.

-UIW-

Cardinals Sweep TexAnns -- posted Tuesday, April 8 2008

The Incarnate Word Cardinals won sixth and seventh straight contests with a sweep of Tarleton State Tuesday. UIW snuck by with a 2-1 win in Game 1 and took Game 2 with an 8-4 decision.

The Cardinals’ two runs came in the bottom of the fourth inning, courtesy of Ashley Hinojosa. After Melissa Perez singled to right field and was replaced on the base paths by Jenny Whitt, Hinojosa placed her 11th home run of the year to straight away center field.

Tarleton State cut the lead in half to 2-1 when it scored in the top of the sixth.

UIW snagged seven hits in the game with Hinojosa going a perfect 3-for-3. Becky Moritz collected two while Erin Whitt and Perez each had one.

Perez pitched a complete game and allowed the one run off five TexAnn hits. She walked two and struck out eight in her 13th win of the season.

In Game 2, the Cardinals started off with three runs off three hits in their first at-bat of the game. Tarleton State answered with two runs of its own in the top of the third, but the Cardinals bounced back, adding two more to extend the lead to 5-2 in the bottom of the fifth. The TexAnns threatened in the top of the sixth, cutting the Cardinals’ lead to one at 5-4.

In the bottom of the sixth, Patty Madera, Perez, and Hinojosa each knocked in a run in order for the 8-4 win.

Rachel Hughes started the game for the Cardinals and allowed two runs off two hits through 2.2 innings of work. She took the winning decision while Perez earned her first save of the year. She allowed two runs off two hits in 2.0 innings. She struck out one in the outing.

Madera and Hinojosa each had two hits and two RBI and Hughes joined in with two RBI as well. Serena Smitham led the team with three runs scored.

The wins give UIW an overall mark of 24-18 on the year and the TexAnns moved to 19-21. The Cardinals will jump back into Heartland Conference action Sunday with a 1 p.m. doubleheader against St. Edward’s in San Antonio.

-UIW-

Time Change for Tuesday's Doubleheader Versus Tarleton State -- posted Monday, April 7 2008

Tuesday's doubleheader between Incarnate Word and Tarleton State will now begin at 2 p.m., announced head coach Nora May-Davila Monday afternoon. The original start time was scheduled for 4 p.m.

So far this season, the Cardinals have posted a 3-0 record against the TexAnns. UIW is currently riding a five-game win streak and has an overall record of 22-18.

-UIW-

Cardinals Pound Out 30 Hits in Doubleheader -- posted Sunday, April 6 2008

LAREDO - The Incarnate Word softball team pounded out a season-high 21 hits in an 11-5 Game 1 victory over Texas A&M International Sunday before closing out the weekend with the 9-1 victory in Game 2 for the series sweep.

UIW had already recorded two outs in the top of the first inning of the opening game without scoring a single run before Ashley Hinojosa came to the plate with two runners on and hit a home run. The three-run shot gave UIW a 3-0 advantage. Erin Whitt then hit a single and scored on a Becky Moritz double. Then, Cece Duron hit the Cardinals’ second home run of the inning to score Moritz and give UIW a 6-0 lead.

The Dustdevils added two runs of their own in the bottom half of the same inning, but the Cardinals cancelled them out as they scored two in the second inning and another three in the third for the 11-2 lead. TAMIU managed to add another three runs in the game, but it wasn’t enough as UIW was on the winning side of the 11-5 win.

Five Cardinals – Allison Britt, Serena Smitham, Hinojosa, Erin Whitt, and Becky Moritz – managed to nab three hits apiece. Hinojosa led with four runs driven in and Moritz drove home three. Britt scored three runs, the most on the team.

Melissa Perez won her 12th decision of the season after allowing five runs off six hits in seven innings of work. She walked two and struck out eight for the seventh time in 19 appearances.

The Cardinals hit another two home runs in the series finale. Pitcher Rachel Hughes hit a three-run shot in a four-run second inning and Patty Madera hit a two-run home run at the beginning of UIW’s five-run third inning.

UIW nabbed nine hits in the second game with Duron having the only multi-hit performance.

Hughes allowed six hits through 5.0 innings, allowing only one run and striking out one.

The wins extend UIW’s win streak to five, its overall record to 22-18 and its Heartland Conference mark to 13-5.

The Cardinals will return home and step out of conference action for a non-conference match-up against Tarleton State Tuesday afternoon beginning at 4 p.m. from Cardinal Field on the UIW campus.

-UIW-

Cardinals Shut Down Dustdevils -- posted Saturday, April 5 2008

LAREDO - The Incarnate Word Cardinals outscored the Dustdevils of Texas A&M International 18-1 (9-0, 9-1) in a Heartland Conference doubleheader Saturday afternoon in Laredo. A two-hitter thrown by Melissa Perez in Game 1 and a three-hitter thrown in Game 2 by Rachel Hughes led UIW to its fourth and fifth wins in its last six games.

In the opening frame of Game 1, the Cards (20-18,11-5) struck early with Patty Madera hitting her fourth home run of the season, a one-run, two-out blast, to put UIW on the board 1-0. Following the home run, Perez doubled and moved to third on a Dustdevil error. Erin Whitt then drove Perez across the plate when she hit into a fielder’s choice, giving the Cardinals a 2-0 lead.

UIW saw 11 batters in its half of the third inning, seven crossing the plate. Madera started the inning off with a single and moved to second when Perez was issued a walk. With one out, Erin Whitt singled to load the bases. An illegal pitch from the TAMIU starter scored Madera and moved the remaining baserunners into scoring position. Becky Moritz then doubled, sending the runners home for the second and third runs of the inning. Cece Duron reached safely on a base hit, sending Moritz to third before the bases were once again loaded when Michelle Luna was issued a walk. Allie Britt doubled to left field to send two more runs across the dish. After the second out of the inning was in the books, Madera made her second appearance of the inning at the plate and hit a base-clearing double. Perez then grounded out for the third out but the Cardinals had done their damage, sending the score to 9-0, the eventual final.

Madera was 3-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored. Britt also collected three hits. Through her last 17 games, Britt has collected three hits in nine and has had a multi-hit performance in 14 of her last 18 games.

From the circle, Perez pitched 5.0 scoreless innings and gave up only two hits. She struck out six and didn’t issue any four-ball walks despite hitting three batters.

In the nightcap, UIW once again drew first blood. The Cardinals started off their at-bat with three straight hits – consecutive singles from Britt and Luna and an RBI double from Madera. Perez then took a walk before Ashley Hinojosa doubled to right field to send two more runners across the plate for the 3-0 lead.

The Cardinals tallied five more hits in the top of the second as the first three hitters once again reached safely. With one out and the bases loaded, Madera doubled, scoring two runners and leaving runners in scoring position. Britt and Madera, who were on second and third, respectively, scored when Perez singled, giving UIW a 7-0 lead.

In the fifth inning, Perez led off with a single and was sent home when Hinojosa hit her ninth home run of the season. It was the last two runs UIW would score in the game for the 9-0 lead.

The Dustdevils took advantage of a Cardinal error in the bottom of the fifth, scoring a run, but it wasn’t enough as UIW took the 9-1 win.

Hinojosa nabbed four RBI in the outing, going 3-for-3 at the plate. Britt, Madera, and Perez each had two hits. Madera also had three RBI.

Hughes allowed just one run off three hits in the 5.0 showing. She also recorded one strikeout.

The Dustdevils and Cardinals will face off again Sunday afternoon beginning at 12 p.m. from Laredo.

-UIW-

Adopt-A-Turtle For Your Chance at $20,000 -- posted Friday, April 4 2008

On Saturday, April 12, 3,000 turtles will be released into the San Antonio River on the Incarnate Word campus as part of UIW’s annual Spring Fling. Prizes will be award to the first 20 turtles to cross the finish line and will be entered for a chance to win $20,000. The Turbo Turtle Race is sponsored by the UIW softball team.

Adopting a turtle costs only $5 apiece and can be adopted from any member of the softball team or by calling the softball office at 829-3969. All proceeds from the race will go to the softball team to assist in travel expenses, equipment, etc.

The Spring Fling is an annual fundraising event for participating athletic teams and student organizations at UIW. Admission is free with the festivities beginning at 12 p.m. The Turtle Race begins at 4 p.m.

For more information, log on to www.uiwspringfling.com.

-UIW-

Cardinal Softball Goes 3-1 at Lincoln -- posted Tuesday, April 1 2008

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri - The Incarnate Word softball team traveled to Jefferson City, Missouri, over the weekend to face Heartland Conference foe, Lincoln University, in a four-game series. The Cardinals concluded the weekend with a 3-1 mark.

In the first game of the series on Friday afternoon, UIW shut out the Blue Tigers, 9-0. From the plate, Allie Britt and Melissa Perez each had three hits and one RBI. Britt scored two runs in the outing, as did Patty Madera and Erin Whitt. From the circle, Perez pitched 7.0 scoreless innings, giving up five hits and striking out eight.

The Cardinals also won the nightcap of Friday’s doubleheader, taking a 10-1 win from LU. Britt once again garnered three hits together with Madera and Cece Duron. As a team, UIW stole seven bases with Britt and Erin Whitt each taking two. Amanda Sparks took the win for the Cards, pitching 4.1 complete innings and giving up only one run off four hits and three walks. Sparks also struck out two.

On Saturday, UIW took a 5-1 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning of the first game. But the Blue Tigers scored five runs in the inning and held UIW scoreless in the seventh as the Cardinals suffered the 6-5 loss. Britt went 3-forr-4 with two RBI and a run scored. Madera went 2-for-3 with two RBI, a run scored and a home run. Rachel Hughes suffered the loss for UIW as she gave up five runs off three hits and four Cardinal errors. She struck out three and walked four.

In the series finale, UIW jumped back and took a 9-1 win, courtesy of a seven-run third inning. Four Cardinals had two hits, including Michelle Luna who also scored two runs. Serena Smitham collected three RBI in the outing. Perez took her second win of the weekend, allowing just one run in five innings. She walked two, struck out two, and gave up five hits.

UIW now sits with an 18-18 overall record and a 9-5 Heartland mark and will face Texas A&M International in a four-game series beginning Saturday in Laredo at 1 p.m.

-UIW-

Softball Cancelled -- posted Thursday, March 27 2008

Thursday's doubleheader between Washington University and Incarnate Word has been cancelled due to inclimate weather. The games were to be played in St. Louis.

The games will not be rescheduled and the Cardinals will jump back into Heartland Conference action Friday with a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. versus Lincoln.

-UIW-

Cardinals Swept by No. 3 Rambelles -- posted Tuesday, March 25 2008

SAN ANGELO, Texas - Taking a break from Heartland Conference action, the Incarnate Word Cardinals were swept in a doubleheader at Angelo State Tuesday evening, falling 4-0 and 5-4 to the No. 3 Rambelles.

In the nightcap, the Rambelles took a 1-0 lead in the first inning and held it until UIW tied it up in the top of the fourth when pinch runner JudyAnn Gonzales scored from third on an Erin Whitt single. But ASU scored four runs in their half of the same inning to take a 5-1 lead.

UIW added another run in the top of the sixth as Serena Smitham led off with a triple and then scored on a one-out single from Patty Madera, sending the score to 5-2.

The Cardinals held the Rambelles scoreless in the sixth inning and tried to rally in the top of the seventh. With two outs, Allison Britt was issued a walk and moved to second when Smitham reached on an ASU error. Then, the pair crossed the plate when Melissa Perez doubled to left field to cut the Rambelles lead to one at 5-4. Madera then lined out to shortstop to cut the Cardinals’ rally.

Perez was the only Cardinal with a multi-hit performance in Game 2. She went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Smitham went 1-for-3 with two runs scored.

From the circle, Amanda Sparks (3-7) made the start and threw 3.2 innings for the loss. She gave up five runs off eight hits while walking five and only striking out two. Rachel Hughes pitched 2.1 innings of relief, giving up only one hit and issuing only one walk while also collecting two strikeouts.

In the first game, the Cardinals were held to just four hits in the shutout. Britt nabbed two of those hits, going 2-for-3 in the outing. Madera and Ashley Hinojosa also made contact for the other two hits.

The losses send UIW’s overall mark to 15-17 while ASU moved to 27-5 on the year.

The Cardinals will continue their non-conference slate Thursday with a 3 p.m. doubleheader at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

-UIW-

Cardinals Drop Two in Denton -- posted Thursday, March 20 2008

DENTON, Texas - The Incarnate Word Cardinals dropped two games Thursday to the Lone Star Conference’s Texas Woman’s and East Central (Okla.). In the first game of the day, UIW dropped a 7-3 decision to TWU before falling, 8-2, to ECU. Both games were played at TWU’s Pioneer Field in Denton, Texas.

In the opening game, the Cardinals (15-15) were down 2-0 heading into the second inning, but UIW cut the Pioneers’ lead in half as Cece Duron scored off a dropped foul ball in center field. But TWU extended its lead by adding another run in the bottom half of the same inning and scoring another two runs in each the fourth and sixth innings to jump ahead 7-1.

With one out and Michelle Luna on second and Allison Britt on first, the pair completed a double steal. Luna then scored off a Serena Smitham single. Then Patty Madera drove Britt across the plate for the second run of the inning and the 7-3 score. Two consecutive line outs ended the inning, giving TWU the win.

Madera and Erin Whitt each nabbed two hits with Smitham, Kristi Achay and Luna taking one apiece. From the circle, Amanda Sparks suffered the loss, allowing five runs in only 3.2 innings. She is not 3-6 on the year.

Against ECU, Britt scored early in the first after leading off the Cardinals’ first at-bat with a walk. She then stole second before moving to third on a ground out from Madera. With two outs, Melissa Perez singled to left field for the RBI.

In the fourth with Duron on third, Britt singled to second base, allowing Duron to score and giving UIW the 2-0 lead.

But in the fifth, ECU put four runs on the board, added one more in the sixth and capped it off with three in the seventh for the 8-2 victory.

The Cardinals’ line-up put down nine hits, with Perez going 3-for-4 and Whitt once again garnering two. Britt, Smitham, and Luna each had a stolen base.

Perez suffered her fourth loss of the season (8-4) as she gave up seven runs off nine hits in 6.1 innings. She struck out eight for the second straight game.

UIW returns to the field Tuesday in a doubleheader against Angelo State. It is slated for a 3 p.m. start time in San Angelo.

-UIW-

Wednesday's Doubleheader Cancelled -- posted Wednesday, March 19 2008

Wednesday's doubleheader scheduled between the Incarnate Word Cardinals and the Texas Woman's Pioneers was cancelled due to bad weather in the Denton, Texas, area.

Instead, UIW will now face TWU at 3 p.m. Thursday and then will play East Central Oklahoma at 5 p.m.

All games will be played at Pioneer Field on the TWU campus in Denton.

-UIW-

Perez Throws No Hitter, Collects Five RBI -- posted Sunday, March 16 2008

Melissa Perez dominated – both offensively and defensively – Game 2 of the Sunday’s doubleheader pitching a no-hitter and hitting two home runs for five RBI in a five-inning, run-ruled 8-0 Cardinal win over the Newman Jets. The Jets won the first game of the day, 7-4.

Perez took the mound and struck out the side in Newman’s first at-bat. Then, out of the next 16 batters she faced, she struck out another five and allowed only four walks – Newman’s only base runners for the game. Of those four, UIW’s defense kept them at bay, allowing only two runners to advance to second base and not any further.

In her first plate appearance of the game in the first inning with Allie Britt and Serena Smitham on first and second, Perez homered to right center field. That was followed by a solo shot from Ashley Hinojosa. It was Hinojosa’s second home run of the day, as she hit a two-run bomb in Game 1. The two home runs gave the Cardinals a 4-0 lead over NU.

With one out in the bottom of the second, Britt doubled to center field and moved to third on a bunt from Smitham. Patty Madera then doubled to center field, sending Britt home and UIW’s lead to 5-0.

In the fifth, Madera took a lead-off walk before Perez hit her second home run of the game to left field and extending the lead to 7-0. UIW needed just one more run to run-rule the Jets. With two outs and Erin Whitt representing the winning run on second, Kristi Achay hit the ball straight to the Jets’ shortstop, Amy Schneider. With Whitt on her way to third base, Schneider decided to go for the easy play and attempted to throw out Achay at first base, but the ball went past the Newman first baseman allowing Whitt to score the winning run for the Cardinals.

Britt was 3-for-3 from the plate, scoring two runs. Perez and Hinojosa each had two hits and Perez’ five RBI led the team.

The win is Perez’ eighth of the year as she sits with an 8-3 record. It was her third shutout and her ninth complete game of the year.

In the first game, Newman jumped out to an early lead, scoring two runs in the second inning. UIW added one in the bottom of the third, but the Jets put two on the board in each the fifth and sixth inning and one more in the seventh. In the bottom of the seventh down 7-1, the Cardinals put three up on the board, courtesy of Hinojosa’s two-run home run to left field and an RBI ground-out from Madera.

Britt was 3-of-4 in the first game with Perez going 2-for-3. Six other Cardinals each had one hit.

Amanda Sparks suffered the loss, as she gave up four runs off five hits. She struck out two and walked two. Sparks fell to 3-5 on the year.

The split gives UIW a 15-13 overall record and a 6-4 league mark. Newman is now 4-12 on the year and 1-7 in Heartland action.

-UIW-

Home Runs, Defense Lift Cardinals Past Newman -- posted Saturday, March 15 2008

Three home runs - including two inside-the-park - led the Incarnate Word Cardinals softball team to a doubleheader sweep over the Newman Jets Saturday afternoon from Cardinal Field on the UIW campus.

In the first game, the Cardinals shut out the Jets, 4-0, as UIW pitcher Amanda Sparks held Newman to just three hits. UIW scored two runs in the bottom of the third, courtesy of a two-RBI single from Melissa Perez. Then, in the bottom of the fifth, Serena Smitham hit a fair ball down the right field line that dribbled into foul territory, sending her sprinting around the bases for an inside-the-park home run. It was her first home run of the season. The Cardinals put up another run in the same inning for the 4-0 win.

Patty Madera was 3-for-3 and scored two runs in the series’ opener. Smitham was 2-for-2 with an RBI and two runs scored. Perez had two hits as well as her two RBI. Ashley Hinojosa and Kristi Achay each chimed in with one hit.

Sparks struck out a season-high eight batters and did not issue a walk. This was her second seven-inning outing this season and is now 3-4 on the year.

In the second inning of the second game, Perez came up to bat and hit her second home run of the year to straight center field to give UIW a 1-0 advantage. Hinojosa was then hit by a pitch to take first base and moved to second on a base hit bunt from Erin Whitt. Then Michelle Luna put down an infield base hit to load the bases for lead-off hitter, Allison Britt, who had been hitless on the day. On the first pitch, Britt put the ball down the left field line and as the bases cleared, Britt sprinted towards home for an inside-the-park grand slam, extending UIW’s lead to 5-0. It was also Britt’s first home run of the year.

UIW added to their run total in the fourth to 6-0. The shutout was erased as the Jets put up a run in the fifth. The final score was 6-1.

Britt was the only Cardinal to grab more than one hit. She was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and four RBI.

From the circle, Rachel Hughes pitched 7.0 complete innings, giving up only one run off eight hits. She also recorded four strikeouts in her third win of the season (3-4).

The sweep extended the Cardinals’ records back over .500, as they are now 14-12 overall and 5-3 in Heartland Conference action. Newman fell to 3-11 on the year and remain winless in league play at 0-6.

UIW will once again host Newman on Sunday in a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. from Cardinal Field.

-UIW-

Softball Sweeps Aggies -- posted Saturday, March 8 2008

The Incarnate Word Cardinals swept the Oklahoma Panhandle State Aggies Saturday afternoon, taking the first game, 7-5, and finishing the sweep in the nightcap, 11-8. The wins even up UIW’s records to 12-12 overall and 3-3 in Heartland action.

In the opening game, Allie Britt led off with a triple to left center and scored on an infield hit from Serena Smitham for the early 1-0 lead. But in the top of the third, the Aggies put together a small rally, scoring four runs off two hits and two Cardinal errors and taking the 4-1 lead.

However, in their half of the same inning, the Cardinals came back. Three runs scored before Ashley Hinojosa hit her fifth home run of the season, a two-run shot over the center field wall, giving the Cards a 6-4 lead.

UIW added an insurance run in the bottom of the fourth to make it 7-4. OPSU then attempted a come back, knocking down three hits and scoring a run, but it wasn’t enough as UIW went on to win, 7-5.

Michelle Luna and Britt each collected two hits and scored two runs in the outing. Smitham and Hinojosa each drove in two runs for UIW. From the circle, Cardinal starter Melissa Perez pitched 2.2 innings, giving up three runs off one hit and three walks. She also struck out three. JudyAnn Gonzales pitched 4.1 relief innings, giving up five hits but only two runs scored as she took the win.

In the nightcap, the Aggies scored two quick runs in the top of the first. But UIW also took advantage of its first at-bat, taking the lead 3-2. The Cards scored in every at-bat, except in the fifth inning. They posted three three-run innings and two one-run innings to win the nightcap 11-8.

Britt, Perez, and Alex Carraman each had a three-hit performance with Perez driving in three runs as well. Luna and Madera each had two hits while the Cardinals 1-4 hitters each scored two runs. Hinojosa also hit her second home run of the day in Game 2.

Amanda Sparks started the game for UIW, pitching 4.1 innings and giving up seven runs off nine hits. Gonzales finished the game, allowing one run off three hits in just 2.2 innings of work.

UIW returns to the diamond Saturday in a doubleheader versus Newman beginning at 1 p.m.

-UIW-

Britt Collects Six Hits in UIW Split -- posted Friday, March 7 2008

The Incarnate Word Cardinals split Friday’s doubleheader with the Oklahoma Panhandle State Aggies, run-ruling Game 1, 10-2, before taking the 7-5 loss in the nightcap. The split gives UIW a 10-12 record overall and a 1-3 mark in Heartland action while the Aggies move to 3-16 on the year, and a 1-1 conference mark.

In the first game, the Cardinals scored in each inning before the game was called at the end of the fifth. UIW put two on the board in the first inning and followed up with three in the second. The Cards put up one in the third and in the fifth, sandwiching a three-run fourth. OPSU erased the shutout in the fourth, scoring one run and adding one more in the top of the fifth before the game was called at 10-2.

Allie Britt, Patty Madera, and Melissa Perez each had a 3-for-4 performance. Madera and Britt each scored three runs while Perez and Madera each drove in three runs. Erin Whitt went 2-for-3 and Kristy Achay drove home two.

Melissa Perez pitched five solid innings, giving up only five hits and two runs. She struck out eight in the outing.

Game 2 was a different story, however. After UIW took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning, OPSU scored four in the top of the third and three in the top of the fourth for a 7-3 lead. UIW added two in the sixth, but it wasn’t enough, as the Aggies went on to win, 7-5.

In the nightcap, Britt and Madera were the only Cardinals to nab more than one hit. Britt was 3-for-4 from the plate, driving in two runs and scoring two. Madera was 2-for-4 with an RBI.

After pitching 3.2 innings, UIW starter Rachel Hughes suffered the loss after giving up seven runs off nine hits. She struck out four. In relief, JudyAnn Gonzales pitched 3.1 innings, giving up three hits and striking out three while not allowing a run.

The Cardinals and Aggies will face off in the second half of the season series Saturday at 12 p.m. at UIW.

-UIW-

UIW Drops Two at St. Ed's -- posted Sunday, March 2 2008

Incarnate Word softball dropped to 9-11 overall and opened Heartland Conference action with two straight losses, falling to the St. Edward’s Hilltoppers in a doubleheader Saturday in Austin. In Game 1, the Cardinals were shut out, 4-0, before being defeated 5-1 in Game 2.

In the opening game, UIW was held to only one hit, dropped by Cece Duron, as Melissa Perez took her third consecutive loss after pitching her seventh complete game off the season. Perez gave up eight hits and two walks while striking out four.

The Cards were able to rack up four hits in the nightcap, with Allie Britt, Corrie Gonzales, Rachel Hughes and Perez all grabbing one apiece. Pinch runner Serena Smitham would score UIW’s lone run off of Gonzales’ hit in the sixth inning.

Hughes made her ninth start from the circle and lasted only 3.1 innings in her third loss of the year. She allowed eight hits and five runs. Amanda Sparks and JudyAnn Gonzales pitched 2.2 innings of scoreless relief in the outing.

The Cardinals return to the field Friday as they continue Heartland Conference action, hosting Oklahoma Panhandle State in a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.

-UIW-

Cardinals Split with Wildcats -- posted Saturday, February 23 2008

Incarnate Word softball split Saturday’s doubleheader with Abilene Christian as the Cardinals won the first game, 6-5 in eight innings, and fell in Game 2, 8-3, at Cardinal Field on the UIW campus.

In the top half of the twinbill, the Cardinals struck first, scoring two in the bottom of the first. After scoring one in the third, the Wildcats put two more on the board to take the lead, 3-2. But in the bottom of the seventh, with two outs, Patty Madera put a single into right field. With Michelle Luna pinch running for Madera, Melissa Perez singled through the left side to move the runner to second. Ashley Hinojosa then hit an RBI single to right field, allowing Luna to score to tie the score at three and force the extra inning.

Rachel Hughes was called on to relieve Perez on the mound. With a Wildcat baserunner on second, a result of the international tie breaker, the runner moved to third on a wild pitch from Hughes before scoring on an ACU groundout. The next batter walked and moved to second on another groundout. The run scored on a single down the leftfield line before a strikeout to end the inning with ACU taking the lead, 5-3.

In the bottom of the eighth, Cece Duron was put on second for the Cardinals and moved to third on a one-out single from Alex Carraman. Erin Whitt then put a single in center field for the RBI and cut ACU’s lead to 5-4. After a pitching change for the Wildcats, Allie Britt struck out, bringing up Alyssa Gonzalez to pinch hit. She put a base hit in right center, sending Carraman across the dish to knot the score at five. Then, with the bases loaded, Hughes knocked in the winning run with a single to left center, giving UIW the 6-5 win.

Madera led the team with three hits and Becky Moritz chimed in with two. Perez pitched 7.0 complete innings, giving up three runs off six hits while striking out seven. But it was Hughes who was credited with the win, pitching one inning and giving up the two runs off one hit and one walk.

In the second half of the doubleheader, the teams were tied at one after the first inning but UIW jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the second. The Wildcats, however, knocked in six runs off four hits in the top of the fourth to jump ahead 7-3. They added one more in the top of the fifth for the eventual final score of 8-3.

Carraman was 3-for-3 from the plate and scored one run. Britt did not manage to net a hit, but she did score two of the Cards’ three runs. UIW saw three different pitchers take the circle, starting with Amanda Sparks who lasted 3.2 innings. She gave up seven runs of seven hits and six walks. She struck out two as she suffered the loss. Hughes threw 2.2 innings and JudyAnn Gonzales closed up the final two-thirds of the game.

The split moves UIW’s overall mark to 9-9. The Cardinals will return to the diamond Saturday, March 1, with a doubleheader at St. Edward’s in Austin to open Heartland Conference play.

-UIW-

UIW Softball Drops Two to Angelo State -- posted Thursday, February 21 2008

The Incarnate Word Cardinals dropped two games to #4 Angelo State Thursday evening, 9-4 and 13-0, at Cardinal Field in San Antonio. The losses posed UIW’s third and fourth consecutive defeats as its record now sits at 8-8.

In the first game, the Rambelles posted two runs in the third and fourth innings before scoring one more in the fifth to take a 5-0 lead over the Cardinals. In the bottom of the fifth, Becky Moritz hit a solo home run over the left field wall to put UIW on the board, 5-1. In the Cards’ next at-bat, Patty Madera scored from second base on a single from Ashley Hinojosa to cut the lead to 5-2.

But in the top of the seventh, ASU scored four runs, extending the lead to 9-2. In the bottom of the inning, Erin Whitt led off with a double to center field and then scored on a throwing error by the Rambelle right fielder. Then, with two outs and Allie Britt on second, Madera doubled to center field, allowing Britt to score and cut ASU’s lead to 9-4, the eventual final score.

Britt, Madera and pitcher Melissa Perez all collected two hits apiece for the Cardinals as UIW laid down 11 hits compared to ASU’s nine. Perez pitched 6.1 innings, giving up nine runs off eight hits while striking out eight and walking eight. She suffered her second loss of the season, falling to 6-2.

In the night cap, ASU got to work quickly, scoring four runs in the top of the first. The Rambelles added one in the third before posting six in the fourth and two in the fifth to run-rule UIW, 13-0, in five innings. It was the first time this season the Cardinals had been on either side of a run-rule.

ASU garnered 15 hits as UIW was held to just five. Rachel Hughes made the start from the circle for the Cardinals. She pitched three innings, giving up seven earned runs, eight total, off seven hits and four walks. She suffered the loss for the Cardinals.

UIW returns to the diamond Saturday at 3 p.m. against Abilene Christian in San Antonio.

-UIW-

UIW Defeats #11 Emporia State, Drops Next Two -- posted Sunday, February 17 2008

SAN ANGELO, Texas – For the second time this season, the Incarnate Word Cardinals knocked off a nationally ranked team; this time, it was #11 Emporia State. UIW took a 6-5, 8-inning win. Then, the Cardinals suffered losses to West Texas A&M and Cameron.

In the first game, UIW struck first, scoring three runs off two hits in the top of the first for a 3-0 lead. The Hornets put two on the board in the bottom of the same inning to shrink the Cardinals’ lead. In the second, UIW put another run up but ESU scored two to knot the score at four. Then, the Hornets put up another run in the bottom of the fourth to take their first lead of the game.

In the top of the sixth, the Cardinals’ Melissa Perez hit a solo home run to tie the score at five. Because of the following scoreless inning and a half, UIW was headed into its second straight extra-inning ballgame.

With Michelle Luna placed on second because of the international tie breaker, Allie Britt laid down a sacrifice bunt toward third base to move Luna to third. Pinch-hitter Corrie Gonzales put down UIW’s second consecutive sac bunt, allowing Luna to score UIW’s go ahead run.

The Hornets went into the bottom half of the inning with a runner on second. With one out, the next ESU batter reached safely and stole second base before a walk was issued to load the bases. The next batter lined into a double play, leaving two on base as the Cardinals’ took the 6-5 win.

Perez pitched 8.0 innings for her sixth win of the season, giving up five runs off seven hits. She struck out three and walked six. From the plate, Perez went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI. Patty Madera also went 2-for-4, scoring one run.

On the basepath, Allie Britt and Erin Whitt each collected two stolen bags.

Facing Cameron in the second game of the day, UIW took an early 2-0 lead, scoring a run in each of the first two innings. But the Aggies put up six runs in the fourth off only four hits and taking advantage of one Cardinal error. UIW added another run in the sixth, but it wasn’t enough as it lost, 6-3.

Ashley Hinojosa and Becky Moritz each nabbed two hits and Moritz added two RBI. The Cardinals used a season-high four pitchers. Starter Amanda Sparks suffered the loss after giving up three runs off three hits and walking three in 3.0 innings of work.

In the final game of the day, UIW was shutout by West Texas A&M, 6-0. Moritz and Madera nabbed one hit each.

Rachel Hughes pitched 7.0 innings for the Cards, giving up seven hits in her first loss of the season. Of the six runs scored, only one was earned due to UIW’s season-high seven errors.

UIW is now 8-6 overall.

The Cardinals will host Angelo State Thursday in a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m. at UIW.

-UIW-

UIW Splits with Regis -- posted Friday, February 15 2008

The Incarnate Word Cardinals (7-4) dealt their third straight shut out, 5-0, Friday before falling, 6-5, in the second half of a doubleheader versus Regis (Colo.) (5-2) to break a six-game win streak.

In Game 1, UIW took a 1-0 lead in the third, despite not garnering its first hit until the fourth inning. In the third with pinch runner JudyAnn Gonzales on third, a result of two walks and a passed ball, Serena Smitham hit the ball to the pitcher. Regis’ Kaitlyn Gentert threw the ball home, but Gonzales crossed the plate before the tag, giving UIW the lead.

The Cards bagged their first hit in the following inning and scored a run in each of the fourth and fifth innings to take a 3-0 lead. In the sixth, Cece Duron led off with a right centerfield double and scored off an Erin Whitt single. Whitt, who had advanced to third during the previous play, scored when Becky Moritz grounded out to second base, stretching the lead to 5-0.

UIW finished the first game with six hits, all coming in the last three innings of play. Duron was 2-of-3 with two runs scored.

From the circle, Melissa Perez allowed only four hits in her fifth win of the season. She struck out a season-high nine batters while walking only one.

In the second half of the twin bill, each team nabbed 12 hits. The Cardinals struck first in the slugfest. In the first inning, Smitham took a one-out walk and moved to third on a double from Ashley Hinojosa. Then, Patty Madera reached first on a shortstop error and advanced to second, moving Hinojosa to third and sending Smitham across the plate for a 1-0 lead. Perez then hit a sac fly to right field, allowing Hinojosa to score and push the lead to 2-0.

Regis cut the lead to one in third, 2-1, and took its first lead of the day in the top of the fifth, scoring two runs off four hits.

UIW regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth as it scored two runs, courtesy of a Madera double that allowed Hinojosa and Allie Britt to score. But Regis wasn’t done. In the top of the seventh and the defense stacked, the Rangers’ Jamie Winsor led off with a single down the right field line. A UIW pitching change brought JudyAnn Gonzales to the circle and the first batter she faced, Chelsie Rademacher, put a home rune just over the left field wall to take a 5-4 lead.

The Cardinals led off the bottom half of the inning with a walk issued to Kristi Achay. She moved to second on a wild pitch and moved to third when Moritz laid down a sac bunt. Catherine Bartlet came in to pinch run for Achay and scored when Michelle Luna put down a bunt for a single and the RBI. Luna was out on the next play, forcing the game into extra frames with the score at 5-5.

With the international tiebreaker in place, Maureen McDaniel was placed on second for Regis. A groundout then pushed McDaniel to third and she scored and put the Rangers ahead, 6-5, off a single from Alisa Heronema. The Cardinals left the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth to make the 6-5 score final.

Five Cardinals chimed in with two hits apiece. Perez went 2-for-2 with two walks and an RBI. Hinojosa went 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

Amanda Sparks made the start for UIW, throwing 6.0 innings, giving up nine hits and four runs. She also struck out three while walking three. Gonzales suffered the loss for UIW.

The Cardinals will now head to San Angelo to participate in the Blue & Gold Classic, hosted by Angelo State. UIW will play three games on Sunday, facing Emporia State at 11 a.m., followed by Cameron at 3:15 and West Texas A&M at 5:15.

-UIW-

Softball Schedule Change for Weekend -- posted Wednesday, February 13 2008

Because of inclimate weather due in San Angelo late this week there has been a change to the Incarnate Word softball team's itinerary for the weekend. The Cardinals were scheduled to participate in the Angelo State Blue & Gold Classic beginning Friday, but the tournament has been pushed back to Saturday.

Before heading to San Angelo, the Cardinals will host Regis (Colo.) in a doubleheader Friday beginning at 1 p.m. at UIW.

Then, Incarnate Word will head to Angelo State to face Cameron at 3 p.m. Saturday. On Sunday, UIW will face West Texas A&M at 11 a.m. before taking on Emporia State at 1 p.m.

-UIW-

Softball Dominates Javelinas -- posted Tuesday, February 12 2008

The Incarnate Word Cardinal softball team opened its home slate in a dominating fashion Tuesday afternoon as it held Texas A&M-Kingsville scoreless through the doubleheader. In the first game, UIW pitcher Melissa Perez only gave up three hits in a 2-0 shutout before the Cardinals shut down the Javelinas once again, 4-0, in the nightcap.

Perez dominated the first game, allowing only four base runners in seven innings off three hits and one walk, while striking out a season-high eight batters. Perez, along with Patty Madera, had two hits apiece of the Cardinals’ eight.

The Cardinals scored a run in each of the first and second innings for the 2-0 score. In the first inning, with two outs, Ashley Hinojosa singled to left field and advanced all the way to third base on a throwing error from the Javelina shortstop. Hinojosa crossed the plate a single from Madera. In the second inning, Erin Whitt led off with a double down the left field line and moved to third on a Becky Moritz single. As Moritz stole second, Whitt scored UIW’s final run of the game.

In the nightcap, the Cards did all of their scoring in just two innings once again. Jenny Whitt hit a one-out single down the leftfield line in the bottom of the third inning. Allison Britt followed with a single to third base and the pair advanced a base on a Javelina wild pitch. Michelle Luna then laid down a perfect bunt to send Whitt across the dish for the 1-0 lead.

Madera led off UIW’s half of the fourth inning with a single to right center and Alyssa Gonzalez was called on to pinch-run for Madera. With one out, Erin Whitt singled to center, moving Gonzalez to second. With Whitt and Gonzalez on second and third, respectively, courtesy of a passed ball, pinch hitter Kristi Achay singled down the right field line for the two RBI and a 3-0 UIW lead. And the Cardinals were not finished.

Jenny Whitt reached on a Javelina error, moving Achay to third. Achay was out at home on the next play, a fielder’s choice from Allison Britt, and Jenny Whitt was now on third. Britt then attempted to steal second and was called out after a relay between four Javelina infielders, but not before Jenny Whitt scored the Cardinals’ final run of the game and the eventual 4-0 final score.

The Cardinals scattered six hits amongst the lineup, with no one nabbing more than one hit. Jenny Whitt scored two runs while Achay recorded two of the four RBI.

From the circle, Rachel Hughes recorded her first win of the season after pitching seven complete innings. She only allowed four hits and did not record a walk or a strikeout.

The Cardinals head to San Angelo this weekend to participate in a tournament hosted by Angelo State, starting Friday versus Emporia State at 3 p.m.

-UIW-

UIW Takes Two from Tarleton State -- posted Saturday, February 9 2008

The Incarnate Word Cardinals added to their side of the win column with a two-game sweep of the Tarleton State TexAnns Saturday in Stephenville. UIW won the first game, 7-4, before winning its third straight, 6-3.

Ashley Hinojosa put the Cards on the board early, hitting a two-run home run in the top of the first. Soon after, Patty Madera scored after Cece Duron doubled to right center to stretch UIW’s lead to 3-0.

The Cardinals added two more runs in the top of the third to go ahead, 5-0, but the TexAnns put through two hits and took advantage of a Cardinal error to put two runs on the board and cut the lead to 5-2. UIW put up a run in each of the fourth and seventh innings to go ahead 7-2. Tarleton State scored two runs off four hits and a second UIW error in the bottom of the seventh to make the score 7-4, leaving two on at the conclusion of the game.

Allison Britt was 3-of-4 in the top half of UIW’s doubleheader. She scored one run and collected a walk. Madera and Duron each tallied two hits and Madera scored three runs.

From the circle, Melissa Perez pitched a complete 7.0 innings, giving up eight hits and four runs. She struck out five while walking five.

In the second half of the twin bill, the Cards started early, taking a 6-0 lead after four innings. UIW collected four of its nine hits in the top half of the first inning. The TexAnns avoided the shutout, as they scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth and one more in the bottom of the seventh for a 6-3 final score.

From the plate, Michelle Luna, Madera and Hinojosa each collected two hits. Hinojosa was 2-for-3 with a run scored and two RBI. Luna scored two runs off her 2-for-4 campaign. Amanda Sparks pitched 7.0 innings for the Cardinals, giving up three runs off eight hits.

The wins moved UIW to 4-3 on the year while dropping Tarleton State to 4-5. The Cardinals will open their home slate Tuesday with a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.

-UIW-

Cardinals Picked to Finish Third in League -- posted Thursday, February 7 2008

The Incarnate Word softball team was chosen to finish in third place in the Heartland Conference announced league officials Wednesday afternoon. The pick was a result of a poll taken by conference team coaches and sports information directors.

The Cardinals were picked to finish in third place behind St. Mary’s and St. Edward’s, who were chosen to take the top two spots, respectively. The 2006 squad finished in fourth place.

So far this season, UIW has posted a 2-3 record and will return to the diamond Saturday for a doubleheader at Tarleton State in Stephenville. The Cards will open their home slate Tuesday against Texas A&M-Kingsville.

-UIW-

Luna's Bunt Wins It for Cardinals in Extra Innings -- posted Sunday, February 3 2008

SAN ANTONIO - With the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth inning, Incarnate Word’s Michelle Luna laid down a perfect bunt to score Cece Duron from third base and give the Cardinals a 4-3 win over Tarleton State Saturday afternoon in the final day of the St. Mary’s NCAA Division II College Classic.

The win breaks UIW’s three-game losing streak and sends its season record to 2-3 while the TexAnns move to 3-2 on the year.

It all started when Tarleton State crossed the dish first, posting a 1-0 lead in the second inning. The Cardinals kept the scoreboard blank until the bottom of the sixth. In that inning, Melissa Perez led off with a double to right center and moved to third on a Duron sac bunt. Erin Whitt then reached on an error by the TexAnn pitcher and proceeded to steal second. Then, a second straight error from the Tarleton State infield allowed Perez to score and put Whitt and Becky Moritz, the batter, in scoring position. With only one out, Alyssa Gonzalez was called to pinch hit and singled to center field, allowing Whitt to score, giving UIW the lead 2-1, and putting Moritz on third. JudyAnn Gonzales replaced Moritz on the base path and she scored when Serena Smitham grounded out to the pitcher, extending the Cardinals’ lead to 3-1.

But in the top of the seventh, Tarleton State scored two runs to tie the score, and after a three-up, three-down final at-bat for UIW, the game was sent into extra innings. Luna’s sac bunt in the eighth inning gave the Cardinals the win.

Allison Britt led the Cardinals with three hits, going 3-for-3 with a walk. Perez and Whitt each nabbed two, as they both went 2-for-4 with a run scored.

From the circle, Perez made her third start in as many days and pitched eight complete innings. She gave up three runs, one earned, off eight hits. She issued four walks and struck out seven to earn her second win of the season. Perez is now 2-1.

UIW’s Ashley Hinojosa was named the all-tournament catcher after posting a .400 batting average. She had six hits, including three home runs, scoring four runs and driving home eight. The junior out of San Antonio Cornerstone took three walks and only struck out twice in her 15 at-bats.

The Cardinals will once again face Tarleton State Saturday in a doubleheader in Stephenville before opening their home slate Tuesday, Feb. 12, in a twin bill against Texas A&M-Kingsville.

-UIW-

UIW Drops Two Straight in Tournament -- posted Saturday, February 2 2008

SAN ANTONIO - Incarnate Word softball suffered two losses Saturday
afternoon, falling 11-5 to Central Oklahoma and 5-3 to Texas A&M-
Kingsville on the second day of the St. Mary’s NCAA Division II
College Classic being held at the San Antonio ISD softball complex.

Against the Bronchos, Ashley Hinojosa took sole credit of driving in
each of UIW’s five runs as she went 2-for-4, knocking out two home
runs. The first was a two-run shot in the first inning and the next
came in the fifth. Patty Madera and Allison Britt each scored two runs
and collected two hits. Melissa Perez started in the circle for the
Cardinals, but only last 2.1 innings as she gave up eight runs off six
hits to take her second loss in as many days.

In the second half of the doubleheader, the Javelinas jumped out with
a 2-0 lead after the first inning and added one more in the fifth. UIW
cut the lead to 3-1 with a solo-shot from Madera in the sixth inning.

The Cards tied things up in the seventh inning after Alyssa Gonzalez,
who led off with a walk, scored from second base as a result of a
Javelina fielding error that also put the batter, Britt, in scoring
position. Britt then scored on a centerfield single from Hinojosa,
forcing the game into extra innings.

The Javelinas scored two quick runs in the top of the eighth, and the
Cardinals left two on in the bottom half of the inning, suffering the
5-3 loss. Perez was UIW’s only player to collect more than one hit,
going 2-for-3. Rachel Hughes pitched seven complete innings for the
Cards, giving up three runs off eight hits. She struck out one and
walked two in the outing. Amanda Sparks pitched the eighth inning,
giving up the two runs off one hit. She also collected two walks and
one strikeout in her first loss of the season.

The Cardinals will wrap up this weekend’s tournament Sunday afternoon
against Tarleton State at 2 p.m. The tournament is being held at the
SAISD softball complex.

-UIW-

Softball Splits on Opening Day -- posted Friday, February 1 2008

SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word Cardinal softball team started off the season by knocking off #17 Midwestern State, 5-4, but was then shut down by Southeastern Oklahoma, 3-0, in the nightcap on the first day of the St. Mary’s NCAA Division II College Classic.

In the first game of the day, Midwestern State opened play with a single and walk to put two on before Cardinal pitcher Melissa Perez recorded her first of six strikeouts on the day. But then a single and a sac fly later, the Mustangs were on the board for an early 2-0 lead.

In the bottom half of the third inning, UIW’s Ally Britt took advantage of an error committed by the Mustang’s shortstop and then stole second base. Britt moved to third on an unassisted ground out to first base from Serena Smitham and then scored the Cardinals’ first run, resulting from a balk from MSU’s Ashley Kuchenski, to cut the Mustang’s lead to 2-1.

With two outs and Smitham on second in the bottom of the fifth, Ashley Hinojosa hit a home run to left field to give UIW its first lead of the game, 3-2. However, in their next at-bat, the Mustangs knotted the score after a solo home run. MSU regained the lead after the Mustangs took advantage of three Cardinal errors in the top of the seventh, jumping ahead, 4-3.

In the bottom of the seventh, UIW recorded a quick out before Smitham reached safely on a bunt. Hinojosa was then issued a walk, moving Smitham to second. After a line-out to record the second out of the inning, Perez was also issued a walk to load the bases. Pinch hitter Corrie Gonzales took the third walk of the inning to send home A. Gonzalez, tying the score at 4. Erin Whitt then came to the plate and was issued a free base to give UIW the win, 5-4, as Hinojosa scored the winning run.

The Cardinals out-hit the Mustangs, 8-5. Perez struck out six batters, while giving up four runs off five hits, and only allowing two walks.

In the second half of its doubleheader, UIW was not as fortunate as Southeastern Oklahoma’s Marjorie Johnson pitched a two-hit shutout, striking out 15 Cardinals, in a 3-0 loss. The opportunities to score presented themselves as UIW left eight runners stranded, a result of six free bases issued by Johnson.

Amanda Sparks made the start for the Cards, pitching 3.0 innings and giving up three runs off four hits to suffer the loss. She struck out one while walking five. Rachel Hughes relieved Sparks in the fourth inning, pitching three complete frames and only giving up one hit and one walk while striking out three.

UIW returns to the field Saturday afternoon for Day 2 of the tournament at 1:30 p.m. against Central Oklahoma and will play a second game at 3:45 p.m. against Texas A&M-Kingsville. The games are being played at the San Antonio ISD softball fields.

-UIW-

MAY-DAVILA NAMED SOFTBALL COACH -- posted Wednesday, August 8 2007

Bringing a wealth of both domestic and international experiences, Nora May-Davila is on board as the new softball coach at the University of the Incarnate Word.

“Nora comes to Incarnate Word with international experience both in coaching and in playing”, UIW Athletic Director Mark Papich said. “And, she fits a key role with our team in that she is a pitching coach. That is always important in building a top program because it has been proven you can control the game with good pitching.”

A native of Puerto Rico, May-Davila spent 10 years as a player in her country’s Olympic softball program. That time included competitions in the World Cup, the Pan American Games and the Central American Games.

As a coach, she has been on the staff of the Puerto Rican National team as well as the Junior Olympic Team.

In 2000, she traveled to the International Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, as a softball umpire.

At the collegiate level, she was the head coach for four years, first at Missouri Valley College and most recently at Si Tanka University in South Dakota. In those years, her teams were in post-season play each time and once reached the regional finals. Also, those teams produced 10 academic all-conference players.

At the high school level back in Puerto Rico, she coached teams at St. Francis School to five consecutive national championships.

She is a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico where she played both softball and basketball. She earned a master’s degree at Columbia College in Missouri. Her husband is Angel Davila and their adult children are Noraida Negron and Hector Torres May. Angel Davila currently is the manager for the Laredo entry in the independent Central Baseball League.

Papich continued. “Nora has stepped in quickly to begin the process of filling out the softball roster as we approach another school year.”