SAN ANTONIO—A close pitching duel ended up in favor of the visiting team as Houston Baptist took game one of the Southland Conference series 5-2 over the University of the Incarnate Word baseball team at Sullivan Field Friday night.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Both pitchers started off well on the mound, keeping the game scoreless into the third inning. That's when the Huskies (18-15, 10-6 SLC) got to John Shull for two runs. Brandon Brintz drove in two runs with a single up the middle to give HBU a 2-0 lead.

The Cardinals (16-22, 5-11 SLC) responded an inning later when Lee Thomas singled with one out, and then scored on an RBI-triple from Garrett Terrell—one of his four hits on the evening. The 2-1 score didn't last long, as HBU scored two more runs in the fifth, forcing Shull out of the game after 4.2 innings. The UIW bullpen did a wonderful job the rest of the way. They combined to throw 4.1 innings without allowing an earned run. Only one Husky unearned run scored in the eighth for an insurance run on a passed ball.

UIW brought the Cardinals within two runs when Bryce Shepherd drove in Thomas with a single to left field. But the Huskies' JT Newton controlled the game after coming in relief. He collected his sixth save of the season, tossing four scoreless innings, scattering four hits and striking out three without a walk.

Addison Russ picked up the win for HBU, going to 2-3 on the year after allowing two runs on five innings and striking out seven.

Shull got tabbed with the loss, moving to 3-6 on the year.

LEADERS

Terrell had a great night at the plate for UIW. He finished the ballgame four-for-four, with an RBI, a triple and a stolen base. Thomas had two hits, two runs and a double in the loss.

For HBU, Brintz and Jake Pulcheon led the way with two hits apiece. Brintz drove in two, while Pulcheon and Tyler Depreta-Johnson each drove in one run.

UP NEXT

Game two of the series is scheduled for tomorrow at 3 p.m. at Sullivan Field. Bernie Martinez will get the ball for UIW, and he'll face the Huskies' Christian Thames.

STAY TUNED

The Cardinals will follow the weekend series with two non-conference midweek games. They play Prairie View A&M on the road on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
and then they'll host UTRGV on Wednesday at 6:30 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.