SAN ANTONIO, Texas - While the rest of the student body spends spring break lounging on a beach or skiing in the Rockies, the University of the Incarnate Word baseball team will vacation at Daniel Sullivan Field as the squad hosts Maine University for a two-game midweek series on Tuesday and Wednesday.
 
The Cardinals and Black Bears will meet at 6:30 p.m. on both days.
 
FIRST PITCH
 
One of only two teams undefeated in Southland Conference play, UIW is currently tied with Sam Houston for a share of the league lead. The Cardinals have faced an incredibly challenging non-conference slate, including matchups with No. 8 Texas A&M, Purdue, Kansas State and a victory over No. 30 Notre Dame.
 
Maine enters Tuesday's matchup with misleading record. The Black Bears are 4-11, but six of their losses came at the hands of No. 3 Texas Tech and the University of Miami. Maine's opponents currently hold a combined record of 41-23. The only team the Black Bears have faced that does not have a winning record is the Hurricanes, who are 7-8 with losses to Missouri, Notre Dame and No. 1 Florida.
 
SCOUTING THE BLACK BEARS
Record: 4-11 overall, 0-0 AEC
Head Coach: Nick Derba
Leaders:
No. 7 Jr. INF Danny Casals – .300 AVG, 12 H, 6 RBI, 5 R, 1 HR
No. 13 So. 1B/OF Hernen Sardinas – .267 AVG, 16 H, 6 R, 6 RBI, 2 HR
No. 14 Jr. INF Jeremy Pena – .258 AVG, 16 H, 11 R, 7 RBI, 3 HR, 3 SB
Pitching Rotation:
None announced.
Summary: Last season Maine went 25-29 overall with an 8-12 mark in American East Conference action. The Black Bears are currently 4-11 and have yet to play an AEC opponent. Maine has faced a challenging road on the way to San Antonio, going head-to-head with national powers like No. 3 Texas Tech and the University of Miami. The Black Bears are coming off of a 3-1 series loss to UTRGV over the weekend.
 
Maine leads the American East in walks, sacrifice bunts and stolen bases. Senior righty Justin Courtney is the league's leader in strikeouts with 26.
 
THE CARDINAL FILE
Record: 11-6 overall, 3-0 SLC
Head Coach: Patrick Hallmark
Leaders:
No. 21 Jr. OF Eddy Gonzalez - .400 AVG, 22 H, 11 R, 8 RBI, 3 SB, 1 HR
No. 5 Fr. OF Ridge Rogers - .385 AVG, 20 H, 9 R, 6 RBI
No. 24 So. C Kyle Bergeron - .379 AVG, 25 H, 16 RBI, 12 R, 3 SB, 2 HR
Pitching Rotation:
None announced.
Summary: Last season UIW posted a 20-36 overall record and an 8-22 mark in Southland Conference play. The Cardinals are currently 11-6 and coming off of a three-game sweep of rival Abilene Christian over the weekend.
 
UIW leads the nation in sac flies, paced by the country's individual leader in that category, sophomore infielder David Anaya. Sophomore catcher Kyle Bergeron leads the Southland in hits, while junior pitcher Cody Allen is the conference leader in saves.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
UIW and Maine will meet for the first time in program history on Tuesday.
 
UP NEXT
 
UIW closes out spring break in Conway with a three-game Southland Conference series against Central Arkansas, beginning Friday at 6 p.m.
 
STAY TUNED
 
The Cardinals face a regional matchup with Texas State at 6 p.m. on Mar. 21 in San Marcos.
 
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.