SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word baseball team dropped a 5-4 decision at Lone Star Conference rival Abilene Christian on Sunday afternoon at Crutcher Scott Field.  The win gave the Wildcats a 3-1 series win. (Box Score)

The Cardinals (15-7, 1-3) took an early 3-0 lead and threatened to break the game open in the first four innings, but left six runners on base, including four in scoring position.  In the fifth inning, the Wildcats (15-10, 3-1) took advantage of two UIW errors to score three unearned runs and tie the game.

ACU took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning.  Chuck Duarte came through with a two-out run-scoring single to give the Wildcats a 4-3 lead.  The Cardinals loaded the bases in the top of the seventh with no outs, but could manage only one run after a ground ball double play thwarted the rally.

Both teams went down in order in the eighth and ninth innings.  In the 10^th inning, the Cardinals put runners on base, but a double play ended the inning.  In the bottom half of the inning, Tyler Eager led off with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt.  With two outs, JR Roland came through with a game-winning pinch-hit single to score Eager.

Alex Shaffer (Seattle, WA/Nathan Hale HS) pitched well for the Cardinals.  He allowed six hits, one earned run and two walks while striking out four in 7.0 innings.  Joe Mills (Allen/Allen HS) took the loss despite only allowing two hits and one run in 2.2 innings of relief.

Brady Rodriguez earned the win for the Wildcats after tossing 4.0 shutout innings of relief.  He allowed three hits and no walks.

Both team finished the game with eight hits.

The Cardinals are back in action on Tuesday at 2 p.m. at St. Edward's.
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