ABILENE, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word baseball team opens up Southland Conference play with a three-game road series at Abilene Christian this weekend, with game times set for Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m.
FIRST PITCH
The Cardinals (9-5) had their four-game winning streak snapped by Richmond on Wednesday but will look to get back on track to start conference. This will also be the first conference matchup for the Wildcats.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
Record: 7-5
Last Game: L 5-4 vs. UT-Arlington
Head Coach: Britt Bonneau
Leaders:
#24 Luis Trevino, .422 BA, 19 H, 8 R, 7 2B, 1 HR, 15 RBI
#10 Russell Crippen, .420 BA, 21 H, 7 R, 6 2B, 9 RBI
#7 Derek Scott, .404 BA, 19 H, 14 R, 4 SB
#29 Koby Claborn, .400 BA, 16 H, 7 R, 9 RBI
Probables:
#31 LHP Austin Lambright, 0-0, 0.75 ERA
#21 RHP Case Rolen, 1-0, 4.38
# TBA
Summary
The Wildcats have the third best batting average in the conference, .300, and they are averaging 5.9 runs per game. Like the Cardinals, ACU just had a long winning streak snapped. A 5-4 loss to UT-Arlington Wednesday night snapped their 7-game winning streak. The Wildcat pitching staff has an ERA of 5.73 and opponents are hitting .293 against them.
THE CARDINAL FILE
Record: 9-5
Last Game: L 7-5 vs Richmond
Head Coach: Danny Heep
Leaders:
#16
Kyler Genenbacher, .447 BA, 17 H, 7 R, 3 2B, 4 RBI, 2 SB
#4
Bryce Shepherd, .429, 15 H, 7 R, 3 2B, 8 RBI
#11
Mark Whitehead, .328, 19 H, 18 R, 8 RBI, 8 BB, 9 SB
#21
Eddy Gonzalez, .341 BA, 15 H, 11 R, 5 2B, 5 RBI
Probables:
#26
Tyler Lesley, 0-1, 8.35 ERA, 3 GS, 8 BB, 14 K
#23
Bernie Martinez, 2-0, 0.49 ERA, 3 GS, 1 CG, 18.1 IP, 9 BB, 13 K
#36
John Shull, 1-1 8.03 ERA, 3 GS, 2 BB, 6 K
Summary:
The Cardinals swept Omaha this past weekend and beat Texas Southern on a walk-off homerun by
Garrett Terrell Tuesday before losing to Richmond 7-5 Wednesday. They have won three games on walk-offs this season already. They are hitting .294 as a team, and averaging 6.9 runs per game. The pitching staff has an ERA of 6.61 and opponents are hitting .361 against them.
SERIES HISTORY
The Wildcats own the career series 42-22 over the Cardinals. Last season, ACU came to Sullivan Field and took two games before the third one was cancelled due to rain. They won 2-1 and 1-0.
UP NEXT
The Cardinals will continue Southland Conference play the following weekend when they host Central Arkansas for a three-game series, Friday at 6:30 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m.
STAY TUNED
UIW will follow with a mid-week, non-conference game on the road against Texas A&M Corpus Christi Tuesday, March 21 at 6 p.m.
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics visit uiwcardinals.com. Be sure to follow UIW Athletics on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like UIW Athletics on Facebook at UIW Athletics
