It was another milestone moment for third-year Cardinal head softball coach Maria Winn-Ratliff Wednesday afternoon at Drumgoole Field at Cain Park.
In Game 2 of a non-conference doubleheader, the 18th-ranked Cardinals knocked off Alvin, winning 9-1 in five innings, to give Winn-Ratliff her 800th career victory. The Cardinals set up the special moment with an 11-3 win in the first game, which was also run-ruled shortened after five innings.
"I am so grateful and blessed," Winn-Ratliff said after the game on social media. "Thanks to everyone that's been a part of this amazing journey."
Winn-Ratliff made coaching stops at Western Nebraska, Tyler, Louisiana Tech and Galveston before arriving at The Valley in the fall of 2021.
The win also has the Cardinals on the threshold of their first 40-win season in school history. They are 39-13 going into a Region XIV Conference doubleheader Saturday in Corsicana. Weather permitting, the action is set to start at 1 p.m.
The Cardinals are scheduled to play at home Sunday against No. 1-ranked McLennan. Action begins at 2 p.m.
Here are recaps of Wednesday's action:
GAME 1
TVCC 11, Alvin 3
(5 innings)
A 12-hit attack and four-run second inning was more than Alvin could answer.
Mariah DeBose, Addison Wittram, Krystal Castaneda and Kiara Wiedenhaupt had two hits each to lead the Cardinals. DeBose drove in three runs and scored two. She had a double. Wiedenhaupt, who also scored two runs, also had a double.
Alessandra Borjas was the winning pitcher. She worked four and-a-third innings, scattering four hits and striking out two.
GAME 2
TVCC 9, Alvin 1
(5 innings)
Wiedenhaupt belted a pair of home runs, drove in four runs and scored three to lead the way in the second game.
The Cardinals made the most of eight hits, putting the game on ice with five runs in the second inning.
Abby Hollingsworth and Karli Glaze had extra-base hits. Hollingsworth had a triple and Glaze a double.
Mikayla Marrujo went the distance in the circle to pick up the win. She allowed five hits and fanned three.
