Box Score ARLINGTON, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word baseball team opened their season on Friday at the UTA Invitational.  The Cardinals lost to #18 Oklahoma State, 10-5 at Clay Gould Ballpark.

The Cardinals (0-1) were hurt by walks as they gave the Cowboys (1-0) 13 free passes in the game.  OSU scored three runs directly from the walks and also hit three home runs that accounted for five runs in the game.

The game started well for the Cardinals who pushed across an unearned run in the top of the first inning when Jesse Hoover (Marion/Marion HS) drove in Mark Whitehead (San Antonio/Johnson HS) with an infield single.  Starting pitcher Dylan Boss (Boerne/Champion HS) cruised through the first two innings and then gave up an unearned run in the bottom of the third that tied the score.

The Cardinals reclaimed the lead in the top of the fourth when they scored on a sacrifice fly by Blake Woosley (Corvallis, OR/Philomath HS), but that was the only run the scored despite loading the bases with one out.

The Cowboys took control of the game in the middle innings.  They tied the game on a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning and then took the lead in the fifth when Tanner Krietemeier and Conor Costello each hit solo home runs.  In the seventh inning they busted the game open when they scored five times, including a two-out, three-run homer by Zach Fish to cap the inning.

Each team would score a run in the eighth inning and then the Cardinals tried to rally in the ninth.  They loaded the bases with one out and where able to score twice on an RBI single by Jason Stone (Georgetown/Georgetown HS) and run-scoring ground ball by Hoover.

Boss tossed 4.0 innings allowing three hits, one earned run and three walks while striking out four in a no-decision for UIW.  Matthew Decker (Hickory Creek/Lake Dallas HS) took the loss after allowing two runs in two-thirds of an inning.  Hoover led the offense with three hits, two RBI's, a double, stolen base and a run.  Overall, the Cardinals had nine hits and committed three errors.

The Cowboys offense was led by Krietemeier and Fish who each had three RBI's.  Krietemeier was 3-for-5 while Fish was 2-for-5.  Gage Green stole two bases.  Alex Hackerott was credited with the win after pitching 3.2 innings of relief.  He allowed two hits, one run and no walks while striking out four.

The Cardinals are back in action on Saturday against host UT-Arlington at 3 p.m.
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