AUSTIN, TEXAS – The #21 St. Edward's baseball team held off a tough University of the Incarnate Word team on Tuesday at Lucian-Hamilton Field by a score of 4-3. (Box Score)

The Cardinals (15-8) trailed for nearly the entire game, but still had a chance to win in the last few innings.  In the eighth inning, the Cardinals trailed 4-1, but they were able to score and run and had the bases with two outs when the Hilltoppers (18-7) brought in their closer, AJ Rataic.  Rataic was able to retire the next batter to end the threat.

In the ninth inning, John Zule (San Antonio/Stevens HS) led off with a single, but Rataic was able to induce a double play ground ball.  That proved to be fortuitous for the Hilltoppers because the next Cardinals batter, Adam Pena (Mission/Sharyland HS) belted a home run to pull UIW to within a run.  Rataic retired the next batter to preserve the win for St. Edward's.

The Hilltoppers only had six hits in the game, but they made them count.  Marshall Burford had an RBI triple and a solo home run to lead the attack.  It was the first home run given up by a Cardinals pitcher all year.  Lead off hitter Taylor Johnson had two hits, walked twice, scored twice and stole three bases, including home in the game.  Collin Sherrod picked up the win on the mound after tossing 6.1 innings and allowing four hits, one unearned run and two walks while striking out six.

The Cardinals finished the game with eight hits.  Pena led the offense going 2-for-2 with two runs and a home run off the bench.  Blake Woosley (Corvallis, OR/Corvallis HS) and Lukas Miller (Boise, ID/Timberline HS) each had two hits.  Geno Encina (San Antonio/Brandeis HS) was tagged with the loss after allowing four hits and three runs in 4.0 innings. 

This was the third straight loss for the Cardinals with each coming by one run.

The Cardinals are back in action on Friday at 6 p.m. against Lone Star Conference rival Angelo State at Sullivan Field.
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