WACO, TEXAS – Senior right-hander Kris Looper (Wharton/Wharton HS) was a hard-luck loser for the University of the Incarnate Word baseball team on Tuesday night in a 2-1 loss at Baylor University on Tuesday night.

Looper allowed two runs in the first inning and after giving up a double in the second inning he did not allow a hit over the final 6.1 innings of the ball game.  It was his best outing of the season as he allowed a total of five hits, two runs and two walks while striking out a career high eight batters.  The loss dropped him to 0-4 on the season.

The Bears (14-22) had four hits in the first inning.  Logan Brown led off with a double and scored on a single by Adam Toth who later scored on Mitch Price's single.  Brown added another double in the second inning, but that was the last hit for the Bears.

Kody Hessemer picked up the win after holding the Cardinals (11-24) to three hits, one run and one walk in 5.0 innings of work.  Four other relievers combined to pitch the final four shutout innings.  Brad Kuntz picked up the save and struck out two in the ninth inning.

The lone run for the Cardinals came in the fourth inning.  Matt Morris (Scottsdale, AZ/Saguaro HS) led off with a walk and later scored on a single by Ethan McGill (Penn Valley, CA/Nevada Union HS).  The rally ended on a line out double play.  UIW put runners in scoring position in the third, seventh and eighth innings, but were unable to get the tying run.

The Cardinals are back in action this weekend for a three-game series with Southland Conference rival Stephen F. Austin.  They play Friday at 6:30, Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
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