In a doubleheader against Angelo State University, the UIW Cardinals took the first game of the day, 9-4, but fell in the second game, 6-3, to the Rams at Sullivan Field.
Incarnate Word's win in game one was important because of the two games played against ASU, on the first game counted towards Lone Star Conference play. So, after splitting Saturday's games, UIW's overall record is at 3-1 and their LSC record is at 3-0.
In the first game, Angelo State took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first, but Incarnate Word immediately responded with a 5-run bottom-half of the inning, highlighted by a 3-run home run by Steven Vidaurri on the first pitch he saw in the game. His blast over the left field wall gave UIW an immediate 3-2 advantage and the Cardinals added two more runs when Matt Roohan reached with an error and and Jackson Woodruff drew a walk – with both of them brought home by a triple off the bat of Ryan Flowers.
Incarnate Word scored two innings in the sixth and seventh innings. Angelo State's final two runs came in the top of the 9th.
Keith Vasquez won his first start of the year for the Cardinals, pitching five complete innings and struck out two of the 23 batters he faced. Ethan Lutz pitched the final four innings, striking out three of the 17 Rams he faced.
Vidaurri went 3-for-5 in the game with 4 RBI. Derrick Walls was 2-for-5 with two runs scored and Hector Flores was 2-for-2.
In the second game, UIW allowed most of its bullpen a chance to get some action in the game, starting with sophomore Will Gonzalez, who got the start in his first-ever action as a Cardinal. He faced nine batters in two innings, surrendering one run and two hits.
In all, UIW used six pitchers – Gonzalez, Matt Hickman, Mike Farrenkopf, Colin Carmody, Zach Anderson and Elroy Urbina.
Angelo State took the lead in the top of the fifth inning with a 4-run tear. UIW was never able to come back, stranding runners in scoring position nearly every inning.
Vidaurri and Roohan had the big bats in the second contest, both going 2-for-3.
Incarnate Word will play host to St. Mary's University on Tuesday at 3 p.m.
