SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – Sophomore right-hander
Geno Encina (San Antonio/Brandeis HS) got the University of the Incarnate Word baseball team off to a good start in their series with Hofstra University on Thursday night. He pitched eight strong innings in a 2-1 victory at Sullivan Field.
"He (Encina) threw strikes and did not walk anyone," said UIW head coach Dan Heep. "He gave our bullpen a night off which should help us out for the rest of the series. We really rely upon our starters to give us innings and he did a great job."
Encina only needed 101 pitches to get through 8.0 innings. He scattered four hits without a walk while striking out six batters. It was his longest outing of the season. Other than allowing a run in the seventh inning, the only other time he was in trouble was in the first inning when he gave up a lead-off double. The runner reached third with one out, but a line out and strike out quickly snuffed out The Pride's (3-5) scoring opportunity.
The Cardinals (4-9) offense could not manage much against Hostra starting pitcher Brian MacDonald. He only faced one batter over the minimum in his 5.0 innings of work thanks to a pair of double plays and a caught stealing. He allowed four hits and no walks while striking out four in a no-decision.
UIW scored their only two runs of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. They loaded the bases with two outs thanks to three walks and then
Slade Brown (Keller/Keller HS) came through with a ground ball double down the first base line to score two runs.
Encina earned his second win of the year for the Cardinals and
Kris Looper (Wharton/Wharton HS) notched his second save with a scoreless inning of relief.
Colton Besett (Cedar Park/Vista Ridge HS) went 2-for-2 with a walk to lead the offense.
Brendan Mulligan took the loss for Hofstra after allowing two runs in his only inning of work. Matt Ford went 2-for-4 and scored the only run for the Pride.
The teams are back in action on Friday at 3 p.m. for a doubleheader at Sullivan Field.
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