SAN ANTONIO – Tyler Miller came in to pitch the ninth inning with the bases loaded and nobody out and retired the side with only one run, securing the 6-5 win for the University of the Incarnate Word baseball team over Lafayette College at Sullivan Field Sunday in the last game of the Alamo Irish Classic.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Cardinals (2-2) gave up an early 1-0 lead in the first inning, but they would take the lead right back in the bottom half of the first. Mark Whitehead scored on a wild pitch, after stealing third base earlier in the at bat. Then, with the bases empty, David Anaya connected with a deep shot to left field for his first collegiate homerun, giving UIW a 2-1 lead.

The Leopards (1-3) wouldn't back down and scored two more runs in the second. Trey Durrah hit one of his two doubles to bring in one, and then Quentin Bubb singled him home.

UIW would once again regain the lead in the same inning. A bases loaded hit by pitch to Kyle Bergeron brought in a run, and then Ryan Gonzalez drove in another with a sacrifice fly to centerfield.

Great pitching followed in the next few innings from both teams. LC scored one run in the fourth but wouldn't score again until the ninth inning.

The Cardinals scored a huge insurance run in the bottom of the eighth when Garret Terrell hit a line drive single to centerfield that got past the diving centerfielder for a two-base error that allowed Terrell to get to third. Bergeron then drove him in with a sacrifice fly to center. And that run proved to be the winner.

In the top of the ninth, Tyler Miller had to come in relief with the bases loaded, no outs and a 6-4 lead. He induced a 6-4-3 double play to his first batter, which allowed a run to come in, and then struck out the next hitter to end the game 6-5 and the tying run at third base to earn the save.

Cody Allen picked up the win for the Cardinals in relief. He went 3.1 innings, allowing three hits, one run, and striking out three. Miller picked up his first save of the season.

LC's starter Brian Lannino took the loss with 2.1 innings of work, allowing four earned runs (5 runs), three walks and one strike out.

LEADERS

Kyler Genenbacher led the offense with a pair of hits before having to leave the game with an injury. Ryan Gonzalez hit the ball well all game long and was rewarded with two RBI and a single. Bergeron had two RBI as well, while Terrell and Anaya each scored two runs.

The bullpen for the Cardinals was terrific Sunday, combining for 7.1 innings, and only allowing six hits and two runs. Austin Preiss, Jenner Jackson, Ramon Salazar, and Miller all had scoreless outings.

For the Leopards, Luke Robinson led with three hits and two runs scored, while Durrah hit two doubles, drove in one and scored one.
Relief pitcher Mark Anderson tossed 4.2 scoreless innings and only allowed one hit and struck out four.

UP NEXT

The Cardinals will go on the road for the first time this season as they face Prairie View A&M Tuesday at 2 p.m.

STAY TUNED

UIW will host Central Michigan next weekend for a four-game series at Sullivan Field starting Friday at 6:30 p.m., then a doubleheader on Saturday at 1 p.m. and a single game Sunday at 11 a.m.

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