Box Score SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word baseball team dropped the series opener against Southland Conference rival Houston Baptist University, 6-3 on Friday at Sullivan Field.

The Huskies (14-11, 5-2) came out swinging as they collected 17 hits, 15 of which were singles.  Curtis Jones collected four hits, including a triple while Andrew Alvarez had three hits to lead the way for HBU.

The Cardinals (9-15, 1-6) threatened to score first in the third inning of a scoreless game.  They had runners on second and third with only one out, but the next two hitters struck out and flied out to end the inning.

HBU then made the Cardinals pay for not scoring in the bottom of the third inning by putting three runs on the board in the fourth inning as they opened the frame with five consecutive singles.

UIW was able to cut the lead to two runs with an unearned run in the bottom of the fourth inning.  Colton Besett (Cedar Park/Vista Ridge HS) lofted a fly ball down the left field line in foul territory that turned into a sacrifice fly that brought in Ethan McGill (Penn Valley, CA/Nevada Union HS) with the bases loaded.  Taylor Wright was able to get out of that jam for the Huskies and he picked up his fifth win of the season.  Wright tossed 5.2 innings allowing five hits, one run and two walks while striking out three.

Geno Encina (San Antonio/Brandeis HS) started his second game of the season for the Cardinals and was tabbed with the loss.  Encina gave up nine hits, all singles, three earned runs and no walks while striking out three.  UIW used four relievers to close out the game.  Tyler Miller (Conroe/Oak Ridge HS) struck out five in 2.0 innings while Adam Hunter (Yoakum/Yoakum HS) tossed a scoreless ninth inning allowing one hit and striking out one.

Christian Divelbiss (Yuba City, CA/Yuba City HS) was the only Cardinal with multiple hits in the contest.  He finished the game 2-for-4 while Jesse Hoover (Marion/Marion HS) collected two RBI's on a two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the ninth.  Besett was 1-for-2 with a walk and an RBI in the loss.

The second game of the series is set for Saturday at 3 p.m. at Sullivan Field.
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