HAMMOND — No. 4 UIW faced an abrupt shift after a dramatic extra-inning walkoff in its first matchup of the 2024 SLC Softball Championship. But the Cardinals maneuvered past three-time defending champion No. 1 McNeese, shocking the Cowgirls win in a 3-2 upset Wednesday morning. 

The duel contest proved a defensive struggle at times resulting from two steady showings from the two in the circle. Samantha Portillo went seven strong, fanning five and allowing only two earned runs. Conference pitcher of the year Shaelyn Sanders matched her duration of seven innings for McNeese, tallying six strikeouts and two earned runs. 

The loss marks McNeese's first in its last 10 SLC tournament games. The Cowgirls were 19-2 under skipper James Landerneau entering today's contest. 

Victoria Altamirano made her presence apparent early, opening the game with a solo shot over the centerfield wall that gave the Cardinals their first lead of the game. 

Sanders and Portillo carred the action until the fourth inning when the UIW pitcher found herself in a bind with a runner at third. But centerfielder Dariane Cram lasered a throw to home after a popout, allowing catcher Jaisy Caceres to make the play at the plate and keep UIW in control. 

However, McNeese would not stay down for long and found its answer from freshman third baseman Brilee Ford in the fifth. She delivered her own solo slam over the left field wall, tying the game at one apiece. 

The Cowgirls had swung the momentum but Altamirano and the Cardinals readied a response. A single from the player of the year and a double off the bat of Jillan Guiterrez positioned runners at second and third for the fourth seed. 

Altamirano would tag from third on a proceeding at bat, but a wild throw on the play allowed Sanchez to score from second and UIW commanded a 3-1 lead. 

The Cowgirls got their final chance in the bottom of the seventh when Mariana Torres gave McNeese life with an RBI double, but Portillo finished off the final outs moments later to secure the win. 

UIW awaits the winner of Wednesday afternoon's matchup between No. 2 Southeastern and No. 3 Nicholls while McNeese faces No. 7 Houston Christian in an elimination game later this evening.