OREM, Utah – A late ninth-inning rally came up short as the University of the Incarnate Word baseball team dropped the last game of a non-conference series to Utah Valley 11-8, on Saturday at Brent Brown Ballpark.

HOW IT HAPPENED

In game one, the Cardinals (15-18, 4-8 SLC) had the bats going after being shutout in game two, but despite outhitting the Wolverines 16-12, they couldn't overcome an eight-run fourth inning for Utah Valley (11-19). With a 10-1 lead going into the fifth, UIW made it interesting with four RBI singles from Kyle Bergeron, David Anaya, Garrett Terrell and Bryce Shepherd. An RBI groundout off the bat of Sean Arnold then made it 10-6.

Cody Allen then came in and shut down the Wolverine offense. He pitched 2.2 perfect innings without allowing a hit or a run and retiring every batter he faced.

With the score 11-6 in the ninth, Lee Thomas hit a two-run homer to left center field to cut the lead to 11-8. The Cardinals brought the tying run to the plate, but the closer Patrick Wolfe then came in and retired Eddy Gonzalez to end the game and earn his seventh save of the season.

LEADERS

Every Cardinal collected one hit in the loss. Anaya and Thomas led the way with three hits apiece. Thomas hit his fourth homerun of the season, drove in two, and scored three more. Terrell collected two hits and two RBI, including a double. Mark Whitehead and Bergeron added two hits each.

UP NEXT

After the weekend series, UIW will play a road game in San Antonio. They'll make the short drive to UTSA to face the Roadrunners on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

STAY TUNED

After the mid-week game, the Cardinals will go out on the road for a three-game Southland Conference series against Nicholls next weekend in Thibodaux, La.

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