SAN ANTONIO—Tyler Lesley threw six strong scoreless innings, but the start went to waste as the University of the Incarnate Word baseball team dropped game three of the Southland Conference series to Houston Baptist to complete the sweep on Sunday afternoon at Sullivan Field.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Game three of the series was a terrific pitching duel. Lesley had his best start of the year, but didn't get much run support. HBU's Daniel Endsley also had a great start keeping the game scoreless into the seventh.

Both teams had their chances throughout the game, but the pitching won most of the time. It wasn't until the seventh inning that HBU (20-15, 12-6 SLC) would get on the board. With a runner on third and two outs, leadoff hitter Zane Otten dropped a beautiful bunt down the third base line for a base hit and the go-ahead RBI.

The Cardinals (16-23, 5-12 SLC) led off the bottom of the seventh with a double to right center field from Lee Thomas to try to even the score. After a single by Sam Gutierrez and a hit by pitch to Bryce Shepherd, Mark Whitehead came up with a golden opportunity with the bases loaded and one out. HBU brought in their closer, JT Newton, and in just one pitch, he got Whitehead to hit a laser groundball right to the second baseman for an easy 4-6-3 double play to escape the jam.

Then in the bottom of the eighth, UIW would bring seven hitters to the plate to finally tie it up at 1-1. After Eddy Gonzalez led the inning off with a single to right field, and David Anaya and Kyler Genenbacher drew walks, the Cardinals had the bases loaded with nobody out. Sean Arnold hit a rocket right at the shortstop for out number one. Thomas followed and came through with a base hit up the middle to even the score, and still only one out and the bases loaded. The next two hitters were unable to bring in the go-ahead run, and it would prove costly.

HBU responded in the top of the ninth with two runs, thanks to an RBI single from Brandon Brintz, and an RBI double from Spencer Halloran. Zach Carter came in to pitch in the bottom of the ninth, but the Cardinals would manage to bring the winning run to the plate and two outs. A weak groundball back to Carter ended the game and the sweep for the visiting Huskies.

JT Newton picked up the win in relief, while Carter collected his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth. For UIW Lesley took a no-decision after pitching six scoreless innings, scattering five hits, two walks and striking out five. Cody Allen took the loss, falling to 3-1 on the year.

The Cardinals left 12 runners on base and went 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position.

LEADERS

Gonzalez, Thomas and Gutierrez all finished with two base hits in the ballgame. Thomas had the lone RBI, while Gonzalez scored the UIW run. Shepherd was 1-for-2 and a successful sacrifice bunt.

For the Huskies, the top three batters in the lineup did most of the damage. Otten, Brintz and Halloran combined for six hits, two runs and all three RBI. Blake Thomas scored the other run, while Austin Zillweger led the offense with a three-hit game.

UP NEXT

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.

STAY TUNED

After the two midweek games, UIW will host New Orleans in a three-game Southland Conference series on Friday at 6:30 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. at Sullivan Field.

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