SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word baseball team will open its 2018 campaign at home with a non-conference series against North Dakota State this weekend.
 
The Cardinals and Bison will meet for a 2 p.m. doubleheader on Friday, with the remainder of the series to be decided after evaluation of the weather forecast.
 
UIW posted a 20-36 overall record and 8-22 mark in league action last year, finishing 12^th in the Southland. The Cardinals hope to change course this season under first-year Head Coach Patrick Hallmark, who was hired on July 17, 2017.

For the first time in program history, UIW is eligible for NCAA Division I postseason play after completing a four-year transition to full NCAA Division I status.
 
North Dakota State went 31-25 overall and 19-11 in Summit League play last season. The Bison return three of their top four hitters, and were picked to finish third in the league's preseason poll, released on Feb. 8.
 
SCOUTING THE BISON
 
2017 Record: 31-25, 19-11
Head Coach: Tod Brown
Leaders:
No. 10 Sr. IF Mason Pierzchalski – .305 AVG, 67 H, 36 RBI, 35 R
No. 11 Sr. OF Logan Busch – .303 AVG, 57 H, 30 RBI, 29 R
No. 1   So. IF Bennett Hostetler – .279 AVG, 53 H, 26 RBI, 26 R, 8 SB
Probable Starters:
No. 38 Jr. RHP Jordan Harms – 3.15 ERA, 71.1 IP, 62 SO, 34 BB
No. 25 So. RHP Riley Johnson – 2.31 ERA, 23.1 IP, 21 SO, 8 BB
No. 27 Sr. RHP Kevin Folman – 2.70 ERA, 26.2 IP, 23 SO, 8 BB
 
THE CARDINAL FILE
 
2017 Record: 20-36, 8-22 SLC
Head Coach: Patrick Hallmark
Leaders:
No. 21 Jr. OF Eddy Gonzalez – .344 AVG, 62 H, 36 R, 19 RBI
No. 16 So. OF Kyler Genenbacher – .307 AVG, 51 H, 25 R, 19 RBI
No. 11 Sr. OF Mark Whitehead – .304 AVG, 65 H, 46 R, 27 RBI, 20 SB
Probable Starters:
No. 1   Cody Allen – 4.10 ERA, 41.2 IP, 27 SO, 18 BB
No. 23 Bernie Martinez – 5.12 ERA, 84.1 IP, 54 SO, 33 BB
No. 9   Lance Moszkowicz – 5.22 ERA, 39.2 IP, 36 SO, 16 BB
 
UP NEXT
 
The Cardinals will compete at Nelson Wolff Stadium, Feb. 22-24, in the Alamo Irish Classic. The tournament begins Thursday at 7 p.m. as UIW takes on host school Notre Dame. The Cardinals face Purdue at 4 p.m. on Friday, before a bout with Saint Louis at 4 p.m. on Saturday. Sunday's matchups, including the tournament championship, will be determined by the preceding games.
 
STAY TUNED
    
UIW travels to College Station on Feb. 28 to face Texas A&M at 6:30 p.m.
 
To purchase tickets to any UIW Athletics home event, contact Ticket Sales Coordinator Alma Lara at 210-805-3012.
 
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.