CONWAY, Ark. – The University of the Incarnate Word baseball team was handed a doubleheader loss by Central Arkansas at Bear Stadium on Saturday, dropping an 8-3 decision in game one, before a 6-5 defeat in game two. The losses were largely self-inflicted as UIW committed four errors that resulted in five unearned runs for UCA, including the game-winning run in the nightcap.
GAME 1
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bears (12-8, 4-2 SLC) took advantage of an early mistake by the Cardinals (13-9, 3-3 SLC) to capture a 2-0 lead. Starter
Tyler Miller retired the first two batters he faced, before surrendering a single to center. Miller struck out Keaton Presley for the third out of the inning, but a throwing error by the catcher allowed Presley to reach first. Both base runners took an extra base on the play, placing runners at second and third. Two pitches later, a single through the right side scored two.
UIW cut the advantage in half in the second.
Eddy Gonzalez singled to center field, before a single by
Ryan Flores moved him up.
Ryan Gonzalez advanced the pair with a sac bunt and
Sean Arnold drove
Eddy Gonzalez in on a fielder's choice.
The Cardinals tied the ballgame the following inning.
Ridge Rogers was hit by a pitch and advanced to third on a double down the left field line by
Lee Thomas. Three pitches later, a
David Anaya ground out drove Rogers in.
UIW squandered a golden opportunity in the fifth with the bases loaded and no outs.
Shea Gutierrez reached on an error, before Rogers and
Kyle Bergeron were consecutively hit by pitches. Thomas drew an RBI walk, but a strike out and a double play successively prevented the Cardinals from taking a stranglehold on the contest.
The Bears quickly fought back to tie the game in the bottom of the inning. Rigo Aguilar doubled to right field, moved to third on a sac bunt and scored on a sac fly to center.
One inning later, a solo home run from Presley gave UCA a 4-3 lead.
Things unraveled for UIW in the seventh as the Bears doubled their run total to take an 8-3 advantage, aided by a pair of costly defensive errors by the Cardinals.
UIW went down in order in the ninth.
LEADERS
Thomas led the Cardinals with a 1-for-3 performance and an RBI. Anaya finished 1-for-4 with an RBI.
Keaton paced UCA with a 2-for-4 outing, 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored.
Miller (2-1) took the loss, allowing 7 runs (3 earned) on 7 hits through 6.1 innings on the mound. He struck out 7 and walked 1.
Tanner Wiley (1-0) picked up the win, surrendering 3 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits through 6.1 innings of work. He fanned 1 batter and walked 2. Ross Rogers collected the save, holding UIW to just 1 hit over the final 2.2 innings, while striking out 2.
GAME 2
HOW IT HAPPENED
For a second straight game the Bears jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning.
The Cardinals chipped away in the fifth when singles from
Tyler Pettit,
Eddy Gonzalez and Bergeron scored one.
UCA added a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the frame and another the following inning to grab a 5-1 advantage.
UIW came to life in the eighth, exploding for four runs to tie the contest. With two outs, Anaya drew a walk, before Flores reached on a fielding error.
Ryan Gonzalez singled through the left side, scoring Anaya. After a pitching change, the Cardinals successfully executed a double steal, before
Christian Rodriguez walked to load the bases. Having gone 3-for-3 in his first three trips to the plate, Pettit kept his perfect day intact with a two-RBI single to left center. Rogers followed with a single to left field and Rodriguez came in for the game-tying run.
The Bears recaptured the lead in the bottom of the inning, taking advantage of another UIW error to score one. William Hancock singled up the middle and advanced to second on a failed pickoff attempt. Three pitches later, Aguilar singled up the middle, scoring the run from second. A double-play ended the inning, but the damage was already done.
Eddy Gonzalez led off with a single in the ninth, but the Cardinals were unable to cash in.
LEADERS
Pettit finished 4-for-4 with 2 RBIs and a run scored.
Ryan Gonzalez hit 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run, while
Eddy Gonzalez went 2-for-5. Anaya turned in a 1-for-2 outing with a run scored.
Presley posted a 3-for-4 performance with 3 RBIs.
Jenner Jackson (0-1) took the loss, allowing 1 unearned run on 2 hits in the final inning. He struck out 1.
Mark Moyer (4-2) earned the win, tossing the final 1.1 scoreless innings. He ceded 3 hits and fanned 2 batters.
UP NEXT
UIW will look for its first road win of the season at 6 p.m. on Wednesday as the squad faces a regional test at Texas State in San Marcos.
STAY TUNED
The Cardinals return to Southland Conference action with a three-game series against Lamar, beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Friday in San Antonio.
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.
