2024 Incarnate Word Cardinals softball team

2024 Incarnate Word Cardinals softball
2024 Incarnate Word Cardinals softball
Conference	Southland Conference
Record	30–14 (14–7 Southland)
Head coach	Kimberly Dean (3rd season);
Assistant coaches	Robyn Leighton; Benjamin Buechner; Josh Reeves – Volunteer Asst;
Home stadium	H-E-B Field
	Seasons ← 2023 2025 →

The 2024 Incarnate Word Cardinals softball team represents the University of the Incarnate Word during the 2024 NCAA Division I softball season. The Cardinals play their home games at H-E-B Field and are led by third-year head coach Kimberly Dean. They are members of the Southland Conference.

2024 Southland Conference softball standings
v t e	Conf				Overall
Team	W		L	PCT	W		L	PCT
McNeese ‍‍‍	20	–	1	.952	36	–	16	.692
Southeastern Louisiana ‍‍‍	17	–	4	.810	42	–	10	.808
Incarnate Word ‍‍‍	14	–	7	.667	30	–	14	.682
Nicholls ‍‍‍	13	–	8	.619	26	–	24	.520
Lamar ‍‍‍	12	–	12	.500	26	–	23	.531
Texas A&M–Corpus Christi ‍‍‍	8	–	13	.381	20	–	19	.513
Houston Christian ‍‍‍	8	–	15	.348	21	–	25	.457
Northwestern State ‍‍‍	4	–	17	.190	17	–	30	.362
Texas A&M–Commerce* ‍‍‍	2	–	21	.087	9	–	44	.170
* Ineligible for the 2024 NCAA tournament due to transition from Division II^[1]

† – Conference champion ‡ – Tournament champion y – Invited to the NCAA tournament As of May 2, 2024^[2] Rankings from NFCA/USA Today

Previous season edit

The Cardinals compiled an overall record of 16–30–1, and a conference record of 8–16. Finishing in eighth place in conference play, the Cardinals did not qualify for the conference tournament.

Preseason edit

Southland Conference Coaches Poll edit

The Southland Conference Coaches Poll was released on February 2, 2024. Incarnate Word was picked to finish eighth in the Southland Conference with 30 votes.^[3]

Predicted finish	Team	Votes (1st place)
Coaches poll
1	McNeese State	128 (16)
2	Southeastern Louisiana	114 (2)
3	Nicholls	97
4	Lamar	78
5	Texas A&M–Corpus Christi	72
6	Northwestern State	63
7	Houston Christian	49
8	Incarnate Word	30
9	Texas A&M–Commerce	17

Preseason All-Southland team edit

No Cardinals were named to the conference preseason teams. ^[3]

First Team edit

Lexi Johnson (SELA, SR, 1st Base)
Erin Kraus (NICH, SO, 2nd Base)
Haylie Savage HCU, JR, 3rd Base)
Reese Reyna (MCNS, JR, Shortstop)
Bailey Krolczyk (SELA, SR, Catcher)
Chloe Gomez (MCNS, SR, Utility)
Audrey Greely (SELA, SR, Designated Player)
Alexa Poche (NICH, SR, Outfielder)
AB Garcia (HCU, SO, Outfielder)
Erin Ardoin (MCNS, JR, Outfielder)
Ashley Vallejo (MCNS, JR, Pitcher)
Primrose Aholelei (TAMUCC, JR, Pitcher)

Second Team edit

Crislyne Mareno (MCNS, JR, 1st Base)
Mariana Torres (MCNS, JR, 2nd Base)
Rylie Bouvier (MCNS, JR, 3rd Base)
Brooke Davis (LU, SR, Shortstop)
Ashlyn Walker (NWST, SR, Catcher)
Sydney Hoyt (TAMUCC, SR, Utility)
Cameron Niedenthal (LU, SR, Designated Player)
Cam Goodman (SELU, SR, Outfielder)
Ka'Lyn Watson (SELU, SR, Outfielder)
Laney Roos (NWST, SR, Outfielder)
Maggie Darr (NWST, SR, Pitcher)
Shaelyn Sanders (MCNS, SR, Pitcher)

Roster edit

Source:^[4]

2024 Incarnate Word Cardinals roster

Pitchers

8 Bella Mitchell - Sophomore
10 Audrey Gallegos - Freshman
13 Annie Gunther - Graduate
17 Sammy Portillo - Sophomore
22 Larissa Jaquez - Freshman
28 Maddy Blake - Senior
77 Aaliya Garcia - Graduate

Outfielders

5 Darian Cram - Senior
6 Dominique Guerra - Sophomore
11 Karissa Williams - Freshman
12 Jillian Guiterrez - Sophomore
15 Aylya Gonzales- Freshman

Catchers

1 Erin Perez - Freshman
3 Malarie Medina - Freshman
7 Marissa Espinoza - Freshman
20 Jasmine Sierra - Sophomore
24 Natalie Pacheco - Freshman
26 Avalon Sanchez - Senior

Infielders

2 Maddison Guillen - Senior
4 Bryanna Fuentes - Freshman
14 Britaney Shaw - Graduate
23 Baylee Lemons - Junior
16 Hannah Zajdel - Redshirt Sophomore
27 Leah Hayes - Senior
34 Lauren Webb - Freshman
37 Jasmine Contreras - Freshman

Utility

0 Jaisy Caceres - Freshman
16 Madison Dorrow - Sophomore
19 Victoria Altamirano - Sophomore

Coaching staff edit

2024 Incarnate Word Cardinals coaching staff
Kimberly Dean – Head Coach – 3rd year Robyn Leighton – Assistant Coach Benjamin Buechner – Assistant Coach Josh Reeves – Volunteer Assistant

Schedule and results edit

Legend
	Incarnate Word win
	Incarnate Word loss
	Incarnate Word tie
	Postponement/Cancellation
Bold	Incarnate Word team member

2024 Incarnate Word Cardinals softball game log

Regular season (30–14)

February (9–1)
Date	Opponent	Rank	Site/stadium	Score	Win	Loss	Save	TV	Attendance	Overall record	SLC record
Cardinal Classic
Feb. 9	Lindenwood*		H-E-B Field • San Antonio, TX	2–0	Mitchell, Bella (1-0)	BERKEY, Molly. (0-1)	None		87	1–0
Feb. 9	Buffalo*		H-E-B Field • San Antonio, TX	8–0	Portillo , Samantha (1-0)	Tarantino, Julia (0-1)	None		115	2–0
Feb. 10	Buffalo*		H-E-B Field • San Antonio, TX	9–8	Blake, Maddy (1-0)	Watters, Emily (0-1)	None		88	3–0
Feb. 10	Lindenwood*		H-E-B Field • San Antonio, TX	7–0	Portillo , Samantha (0-0)	Weyh, Amanda (1-1)	None		88	4–0
Feb. 11	Prairie View A&M*		H-E-B Field • San Antonio, TX	4–3	Larissa Jacquez (1-0)	Breanna Reyna (-)	None		115	5–0
Defend the Bluff Tournament
Feb. 16	vs. Tennessee Tech*		Lady Jaguar Field • Baton Rouge, LA			Cancelled
Feb. 16	at Southern*		Lady Jaguar Field • Baton Rouge, LA			Cancelled
Feb. 17	at Southern*		Lady Jaguar Field • Baton Rouge, LA			Cancelled
Feb. 17	vs. Tennessee Tech*		Lady Jaguar Field • Baton Rouge, LA			Cancelled
Camel Stampede
Feb. 23	vs. Saint Joseph's*		Amanda Littlejohn Stadium • Buies Creek, NC	13–5	Gunther, Annie (1-0)	E. Siler (0-4)	None		128	6–0
Feb. 23	at Campbell*		Amanda Littlejohn Stadium • Buies Creek, NC	4–5	SMITH, I (2-3)	Jacquez, Larissa (1-1)	None		124	6–1
Feb. 24	vs. Winthrop*		Amanda Littlejohn Stadium • Buies Creek, NC	5–4	Maddy Blake (2-0)	Perez, Erin (4-4)	None		128	7–1
Feb. 24	at Campbell*		Amanda Littlejohn Stadium • Buies Creek, NC	5–4	Blake, Maddy (2-0)	BASINGER, Reese (4-4)	None		128	8–1
Feb. 25	vs. Saint Joseph's*		Amanda Littlejohn Stadium • Buies Creek, NC	5–0	Jacquez, Larissa (2-1)	Emily Siler (1-2)	None		90	9–1

March (11–9)
Date	Opponent	Rank	Site/stadium	Score	Win	Loss	Save	TV	Attendance	Overall record	SLC record
5th Boerner Invitational
Mar 1	vs. UTSA*		Allan Saxe Field • Arlington, TX	3–6	Z. Camacho (2-0)	Portillo , Samantha (2-1)	None			9–2
Mar 1	at UT Arlingtton*		Allan Saxe Field • Arlington, TX	9–0	Mitchell, Bella (2-0)	Bumpurs (0-5)	None		152	10–2
Mar 2	vs. Grambling*		Allan Saxe Field • Arlington, TX	10–1	Jacquez, Larissa (3-1)	S. Matthews (0-3)	None		85	11–2
Mar 2	vs. Grambling*		Allan Saxe Field • Arlington, TX	9–2	Mitchell, Bella (3-0)	J. Hodge (1-1)	Gunther, Annie (1)		100	12–2
Mar 3	at UT Arlington*		Allan Saxe Field • Arlington, TX	0–1	Adams, Jessica(3-5)	Larissa Jacquez(3-2)	None		319	12–3

Mar 9	at Southeastern Louisiana		North Oak Park • Hammond, LA	3–4	Brunson, A. (2-0)	Gunther, A (2-1)	Blanchard, C (2)	ESPN+	160	12–4	0–1
Mar 9	at Southeastern Louisiana		North Oak Park • Hammond, LA	0–2	Blanchard, C (7-1)	Jacquez, L (3-3)	None	ESPN+	160	12–5	0–2
Mar 10	at Southeastern Louisiana		North Oak Park • Hammond, LA	6–3	Mitchell, B (4-0)	Comeaux, M. (2-2)	Jacquez, L (1)	ESPN+	151	13–5	1–2
Mar 12	at Jackson State*		Jackson State University Softball Stadium • Jackson, MS	5–6	Salazar, V. (7-3)	Gunther, Annie (2-1)	None		50	13–6
Mar 15	Texas A&M–Corpus Christi		H-E-B Field • San Antonio, TX	6–2	Jacquez, Larissa (4-3)	Aholelei, Primrose (9-5)	None	ESPN+	145	14–6	2–2
Mar 15	Texas A&M–Corpus Christi		H-E-B Field • San Antonio, TX	11–2 (6 inn)	Gunther, Annie (3-2)	Saenz, Ariella (2-2)	None	ESPN+	150	15–6	3–2
Mar 16	Texas A&M–Corpus Christi		H-E-B Field • San Antonio, TX	4–0	Portillo , Samantha (3-1)	Galvan, Siarah (1-1)	None	ESPN+	78	16–6	4–2
Mar 22	at McNeese		Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond • Lake Charles, LA	3–4	Sanders, Shaelyn (9-6)	Larissa Jacquez (4-4)	Schexnayder, Ryann (1)		150	16–7	4–3
Mar 23	at McNeese		Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond • Lake Charles, LA	0–3	Davis, Lindsay (3-5)	Samantha Portillo (3-2)	None			16–8	4–4
Mar 23	at McNeese		Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond • Lake Charles, LA	6–11	Schexnayder, Ryann (5-2)	Gunther, Annie (3-3)	Gunther, Annie (3-3)		747	16–9	4–5
Mar 26	Texas Southern*		H–E–B Field • San Antonio, TX	7–6	Portillo , Samantha (4-2)	Maren Berger (3-4)	None	ESPN+	57	17–9
Mar 26	Texas Southern*		H–E–B Field • San Antonio, TX	4–5	M. Gonzales (3-1)	Portillo , Samantha (3-3)	None	ESPN+	70	17–10
Mar 29	Texas A&M–Commerce		H–E–B Field • San Antonio, TX	10–0 (5 inn)	Larissa Jacquez (5-3)	Martinez, Destiny (0-6)	None	ESPN+	73	18–10	5–5
Mar 30	Texas A&M–Commerce		H–E–B Field • San Antonio, TX	9–1 (5 inn)	Portillo , Samantha (5-3)	Muller, Maddie (3-13)	None	ESPN+	110	19–10	6–5
Mar 30	Texas A&M–Commerce		H–E–B Field • San Antonio, TX	9–8	Jacquez, Larissa (6-4)	Arredondo, Anissa (0-5)	None	ESPN+	110	20–10	7–5

April (10–4)
Date	Opponent	Rank	Site/stadium	Score	Win	Loss	Save	TV	Attendance	Overall record	SLC record
Apr 5	Houston Christian		H–E–B Field • San Antonio, TX	9–1 (6 inn)	Jacquez, Larissa (7-4)	Grofman, R. (5-6)	None	ESPN+	54	21–10	8–5
Apr 6	Houston Christian		H–E–B Field • San Antonio, TX	12–0 (5 inn)	Portillo , Samantha (6-3)	Swanson, Lyndie (4-6)	None	ESPN+	55	22–10	9–5
Apr 6	Houston Christian		H–E–B Field • San Antonio, TX	4–1	Mitchell, Bella (5-0)	Grofman, Ronni (5-6)	None	ESPN+	65	23–10	10–5
Apr 13	Santa Clara*		H-E-B Field • San Antonio, TX	7–8 (8 inn)	VALDEZ, Alaina (4-3)	Mitchell, Bella (5-1)	None	ESPN+	115	23–11
Apr 13	Santa Clara*		H-E-B Field • San Antonio, TX	8–7	Gallegos, Audrey (1-0)	HAGER, Sage (2-1)	None	ESPN+	110	24–11
Apr 14	Santa Clara*		H-E-B Field • San Antonio, TX	4–2	Jacquez, Larissa (8-4)	SEVA, Avery (4-5)	None	ESPN+	72	25–11
Apr 16	at Prairie View A&M*		Lady Panther Softball Complex • Prairie View, TX	7–5	Portillo , Samantha (7-3)	Jerrica Rojas (4-3)	None		79	26–11
Apr 19	at Lamar		Lamar Softball Complex • Beaumont, TX	4–2 (9 inn)	Larissa Jacquez (9-4)	Wardlaw, Emma (9-5)	None	ESPN+	500	27–11	11–5
Apr 19	at Lamar		Lamar Softball Complex • Beaumont, TX	8–0 (6 inn)	Samantha Portillo (7-3)	Mitchell, Karyana (12-6)	None	ESPN+	580	28–11	12–5
Apr 20	at Lamar		Lamar Softball Complex • Beaumont, TX	4–5	Mitchell, Karyana (13-6)	Samantha Portillo (7-4)	None	ESPN+	750	28–12	12–6
Apr 23	UTSA*		H–E–B Field • San Antonio, TX	6–7	J. Gilbert (6-13)	Jacquez, Larissa (9-5)	None	ESPN+	77	28–13
Apr 26	Nicholls		H–E–B Field • San Antonio, TX	11–3 (5 inn)	Jacquez, Larissa (10-5)	McNeill, Audrey (11-12)	None	ESPN+	115	29–13	13–6
Apr 26	Nicholls		H–E–B Field • San Antonio, TX	4–3	Blake, Maddy (3-0)	Yoo, Molly (6-8)	None	ESPN+	115	30–13	14–6
Apr 27	Nicholls		H–E–B Field • San Antonio, TX	2–4	Audrey McNeill	Samantha Portillo (7-5)	None	ESPN+	170	30–14	14–7

(7-5)

May (0–0)
Date	Opponent	Rank	Site/stadium	Score	Win	Loss	Save	TV	Attendance	Overall record	SLC record
May 3	at Northwestern State		Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA	–	(-)	(-)				–	–
May 3	at Northwestern State		Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA	–	(-)	(-)				–	–
May 4	at Northwestern State		Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA	–	(-)	(-)				–	–

Post-season (0–0)

Southland Tournament (0–0)
Date	Opponent	(Seed)/Rank	Site/stadium	Score	Win	Loss	Save	TV	Attendance	Overall record	Tournament record
May 7–10	vs. () TBA	()	North Oak Park • Hammond, LA	–	(-)	(-)		ESPN+		–	–

–

Schedule Source:^[5]^[6]^[7]*Rankings are based on the team's current ranking in the NFCA/USA Softball poll.

References edit

^ "Texas A&M University-Commerce Officially Joins NCAA Division I and the Southland Conference". Texas A&M University-Commerce. July 1, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
^ "Southland Standings". D1Softball. D1SOFTBALL. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
^ ^a ^b "McNeese predicted to repeat as SLC Softball Champions; Preseason poll and all-conference teams announced". Southland Conference. February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
^ "2024 Softball Roster". University of the Incarnate Word. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
^ "2024 Softball Schedule". University of the Incarnate Word. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
^ "WarrenNolan.com Softball 2024-Incarnate Word Cardinals". Nolan Analytics, LLC. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
^ "UIW Incarnate Word (Southland)". D1Softball. Retrieved January 25, 2024.

[1] "Texas A&M University-Commerce Officially Joins NCAA Division I and the Southland Conference". Texas A&M University-Commerce. July 1, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2024.

[2] "Southland Standings". D1Softball. D1SOFTBALL. Retrieved May 3, 2024.

[Polls-3] "McNeese predicted to repeat as SLC Softball Champions; Preseason poll and all-conference teams announced". Southland Conference. February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2024.

[4] "2024 Softball Roster". University of the Incarnate Word. Retrieved January 26, 2024.

[5] "2024 Softball Schedule". University of the Incarnate Word. Retrieved January 8, 2024.

[6] "WarrenNolan.com Softball 2024-Incarnate Word Cardinals". Nolan Analytics, LLC. Retrieved January 25, 2024.

[7] "UIW Incarnate Word (Southland)". D1Softball. Retrieved January 25, 2024.

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