SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word baseball team held its own with No. 8 Texas A&M on Wednesday, dropping a 9-7 decision in front of 4,104 strong at Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
Early jitters resulted in a 1-0 hole for the Cardinals (5-4) in the first inning. Despite stellar pitching by starter John Shull, a dropped pop fly in foul territory gave the Aggies (9-0) additional scoring opportunities and they capitalized with a sac fly.
 
In the third, Texas A&M took advantage of further UIW miscues to score four more. With two on and no outs, a miscommunication between first and third allowed Michael Helman to reach on a bunt. A single by Braden Shewmake on the next at bat drove in two. After a pitching change, a failed pickoff attempt sailed deep into right field, allowing Helman to score and Shewmake to advance from first to third. A sac fly on the subsequent at bat sent Shewmake home.
 
The Cardinals returned the favor in the fourth, taking advantage of mistakes by the Aggies to make it a 5-3 game. Kyle Bergeron was hit by a pitch, before David Anaya singled through the left side. Lee Thomas then notched a double down the right field line, sending Bergeron home and Anaya to third. After a pitching change, Texas A&M forced two outs, before Eddy Gonzalez reached on an error that scored Anaya and Lee.
 
The Aggies added a run in the bottom of the frame, two more in the fifth and another in the eighth, securing a 9-3 advantage heading into the final inning.
 
Just when it looked like Texas A&M had the game wrapped up, UIW decided to give the 12^th man a reason to hang around for the ninth. Sean Arnold led off with a single to left center, before Gonzalez drew a walk. After a pitching change, the Aggies forced two outs, before Ridge Rogers walked to load the bases for Bergeron. The Bridge City, Texas native sent the first pitch he saw sailing deep over the left field wall for a grand slam.
 
Texas A&M regrouped and forced a pop out on the next at bat to prevent UIW from picking up its second upset victory over a nationally-ranked opponent this season.
 
LEADERS
 
Bergeron finished a triple away from the cycle, batting 3-for-4 with 4 RBIs, 2 runs, 1 stolen base and a grand slam. Rogers was a perfect 1-for-1 at the plate with 1 run scored. Thomas and Gonzalez each registered 1 hit, 1 run and 1 RBI on the night.
 
Shewmake paced Texas A&M with a 2-for-3 outing, 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored.
 
Shull (1-2) took the loss, surrendering 2 runs on 2 hits with 1 walk through 2.0 innings on the mound. Cody Moos was solid in relief, tossing 1.2 scoreless innings with 2 strikeouts and no walks.
 
Kaylor Chafin (1-0) picked up the win, throwing 2.0 scoreless, hitless innings with 2 strikeouts and no walks. He allowed only 3 hits.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Cardinals host a four-game series with Northern Illinois, beginning Friday at 6:30 p.m. The teams will meet for a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday, before closing out the weekend with an 11 a.m. series finale on Sunday.
 
STAY TUNED
 
UIW heads to Manhattan, Kan., for a two-game series against Kansas State, March 6-7. Tuesday's game is set for 3 p.m., while Wednesday's contest is scheduled for noon.
 
To purchase tickets to any UIW Athletics home event, contact Ticket Sales Coordinator Alma Lara at 210-805-3012.
 
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