SAN ANTONIO – With a pair of wins against Omaha on Sunday, the University of the Incarnate Word baseball team completed their first 3-game sweep since May 2015.
Bernie Martinez threw a complete game shutout in game one for a 3-0 win, and
John Shull threw six strong innings in a 9-6 win in game two at Sullivan Field.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After inclement weather forced Saturday's game to move to Sunday as part of a doubleheader, game one was scheduled as a seven inning ballgame, and game two was a
regular nine-inning game.
In game one, Martinez had it going for the Cardinals (8-5). He kept the Mavericks off balance all game long, only allowing five hits, no runs, walking one and striking out six. He lowered his ERA to 0.49 on the year and moved to 2-0.
UIW opened the scoring in the second inning, when
Tanner White and
Mark Whitehead each collected an RBI single, to give the Cardinals a 2-0 lead. Then in the fifth,
Eddy Gonzalez would add an insurance run after doubling to left center, and later scoring on a wild pitch.
The Mavericks singled twice in the last inning, and brought the tying run to the plate with one out, but Martinez retired the next two batters to end the game.
The shutout for the Cardinals was the first since April 25
th, 2015. And the complete game shutout for Martinez, was the first since Geno Encina did it back in April of 2014 when he shutout New Orleans 3-0.
The losing pitcher in game one was Corey Binger, after allowing three earned runs in 6.0 innings. He walked two and struck out four.
In game two,
John Shull took the mound for UIW and had a strong outing. After allowing a run in the first inning, he settled down and tossed six innings, allowing six hits, one earned (two runs), walking two and striking out two.
He received great help from the Cardinals offense, especially in the second inning. UIW put up a five-spot with two outs to take a 5-1 lead and later added a sixth run in the third.
Tanner White hit a bases-clearing triple over the centerfielder to drive in three runs,
Mark Whitehead singled in a run, and
Eddy Gonzalez followed with an RBI double.
Then in the third inning,
Ray Swyers drove in his first of two RBI on the day on a single through the right side.
Tyler Miller relieved
Ramon Salazar in the eighth inning, and threw a quick 1-2-3 inning to retire the side. Then in the bottom of the inning,
David Anaya and
Bryce Shepherd drove in a run apiece as insurance runs.
The Mavericks battled back in the top of the ninth, and scored three runs on three hits and a hit by pitch. But,
Lance Moszkowicz would recover and strike out the tying run at the plate.
Shull picked up his first win of the season, and Grant Suponchick took the loss after allowing six runs in three innings of work.
LEADERS
In game one,
Eddy Gonzalez was the only Cardinal with two hits, including a double and a run scored. Whitehead and White both had a hit and an RBI.
For the Mavericks in the first game, Ryan Cate collected two hits, and Adam Caniglia reached base on the only walk issued by Martinez.
In game two, Swyers had three hits, two RBI and a run scored. White had three RBI and scored twice.
Sean Arnold scored three times and connected with a single.
Whitehead finished the game 2-for-4, with an RBI, a run scored, and stole his seventh and eighth base of the season.
UP NEXT
UIW will stay home for a pair of midweek games against Texas Southern on Tuesday at 3 p.m., and Richmond on Wednesday at 11 a.m.
STAY TUNED
Following the midweek games, the Cardinals will travel to Abilene Christian to start Southland Conference play with a three game series next weekend. Game times are Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m.
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics visit uiwcardinals.com. Be sure to follow UIW Athletics on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like UIW Athletics on Facebook at UIW Athletics.
