WICHITA FALLS, Texas - Midwestern State erupted for five runs in the third inning then coasted to a 6-3 non-conference win over Incarnate Word Wednesday afternoon at Mustangs Park.

The Mustangs won their second-straight game to improve to 25-14, while Incarnate Word dipped to 20-24.

MSU threatened in the opening pair of innings, but Cardinals' starter Amanda Sparks wiggled out of each jam by stranding two runners in the first inning and got Nicki Duff to roll into a fielder's choice to leave the bases packed in the second inning.

Her luck ran out in the third as the first six Mustangs' batters would reach to force Sparks (11-8) out of the contest after surrendering five runs - all earned on eight hits with three walks.

Tabitha Yannetti and Jessica Rodriguez opened the frame with consecutive knocks through the left side of the UIW infield before freshman Mallory Mooney drew a walk to load the bases.

Lauren Craig dumped the next Sparks' offering into right field to notch the Mustangs first run of the game before Alyson Reynolds ripped a double to the left-field gap to plate two more to push the MSU advantage to 3-0.

Katie Petersen rapped a single to left field to score Craig and force the Cardinals to the bullpen.

Sarah Weary greeted JudyAnn Gonzalez with a sharp line drive, but it was right at UIW shortstop Alex Carrman, who gloved the shot and fired to first double off Petersen.

Maranda Bishop drove in Reynolds to push the advantage to 5-0, but was gunned down trying to stretch a single to a double to end the inning.

Gonzalez would allow just two more hits over the next three innings to allow just one run on three hits in four innings of relief.

Weary added an insurance on the inside-the-park home run in the fifth inning, but Incarnate Word foiled MSU starter Katie Petersen's bid for her third shutout of the season in the sixth as Carraman blasted a three-run homer to left field to pull the Cardinals to within 6-3.

But that's as close as they would get.

Petersen improved to 12-5 on the season while allowing three runs - all earned - on eight hits while striking out six.

Yannetti, Reynolds and Weary paced MSU's 11-hit attack with two hits apiece, while Carraman paced the Cardinals by going 2-for-3 with three RBIs including eighth home run of the season.