CONWAY, Ark. – The University of the Incarnate Word baseball team was unable to maintain its spotless Southland Conference record and extend its overall win streak to six games on Friday night, suffering a 4-3, walk-off defeat at the hands of Central Arkansas at Bear Stadium.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
After two scoreless innings, the Bears (10-8, 2-2 SLC) plated a run in the third. Rigo Aguilar led off with a single and advanced to second on a throwing error. The next batter moved Aguilar to third with a sac bunt, before a ground out sent him home.
 
The Cardinals (13-7, 3-1 SLC) were held to the minimum batters through the first four innings but came alive in the fifth, hanging three runs on the board. David Anaya broke up the no-hitter with a double to left field and Eddy Gonzalez drew a walk, before a bunt single by Ryan Gonzalez loaded the bases. Ryan Flores immediately followed with a two-RBI single to center, giving UIW the lead. Sean Arnold moved Flores to third with a sac bunt, before the nation's team leader in sac flies added another from Tyler Pettit to secure a 3-1 advantage.
 
UCA got one back in the bottom of the inning when a pair of singles, a wild pitch and an error allowed a run to come in.
 
The Bears tied the game in the sixth with a double and single on back-to-back at bats.
 
Starter Bernie Martinez caged UCA over the next 2.1 innings and finished the night with 123 pitches to his credit before eventually giving way to Cody Allen in the ninth.
 
Tyler Gray turned in an equally impressive outing on the mound for the Bears, going a full 9.0 innings before handing the ball over the Mark Moyer in the 10^th.
 
UIW put three base runners on in the final inning but couldn't recapture the lead.
 
In the bottom of the frame, Tyler Smith punched a leadoff double down the right field line, before a sac bunt moved him to third. On the next play, Anaya fielded a grounder and threw Smith out at home, temporarily preventing the game-winning run, but William Hancock reached on a fielder's choice and crucially advanced to second. The following batter, Dusty Wright, registered a two-out single through the left side and Hancock scored.
 
LEADERS
 
Anaya led the Cardinals offensively with a 2-for-4 outing and a run. Flores finished 1-for-4 with 2 RBIs.
 
Colby LeBlanc paced UCA with a 3-for-4 night and an RBI.
 
Martinez took a no decision, tossing 8.1 innings and holding the Bears to 3 runs (2 earned) on 10 hits. He tallied 3 strikeouts without walking a single batter. Allen (2-2) took the loss, surrendering the game-winning run. He allowed 2 hits, fanned 2 batters and walked 2.
 
Moyer (3-2) picked up the win, allowing 1 hit in the final inning. He struck out 1 batter and walked 2.
 
SCHEDULE UPDATE
 
Due to the possibility of thunderstorms on Sunday, the Cardinals and Bears will meet for a 3 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday.
 
STAY TUNED
 
UIW faces a regional test at Texas State in San Marcos on Wednesday, Mar. 21 at 6 p.m.
 
To purchase tickets to any UIW Athletics home event, contact Ticket Sales Coordinator Alma Lara at 210-805-3012.
 
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