SAN MARCOS, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word baseball team will make the short drive to Bobcat Stadium for a matchup with Texas State on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
 
FIRST PITCH
 
The Cardinals have proven that they are up to the challenge of a tough schedule this season. UIW had three hard-fought losses at No. 8 Texas A&M, Purdue and Kansas State, while earning arguably the biggest win in school history over No. 30 Notre Dame.
 
The Cardinals picked up series wins against Northern Illinois, Maine and Abilene Christian at home, but are 0-5 on the road. UIW will seek its first win away from Daniel Sullivan Field on Wednesday against a talented Bobcats squad on a four-game winning streak. Texas State is 11-3 at Bobcat Stadium this year.
 
SCOUTING THE BOBCATS
13-4-1 Overall, 3-0 Sun Belt Conference
Head Coach: Ty Harrington
Leaders:
No. 12 Sr. C Jared Huber – .333 AVG, 14 H, 11 R, 6 RBI
No. 15 Sr. UTL Dylan Paul – .324 AVG, 22 H, 11 R, 8 RBI, 3 SB, 1 HR
No. 2 Sr. INF Luke Sherley – .315 AVG, 17 H, 15 RBI, 12 R, 3 HR, 6 SB
Summary:
Texas State finished the 2017 season with a 29-30 overall record and a 13-17 mark against the Sun Belt Conference. The Bobcats advanced to the third round of the Sun Belt Championship, eventually falling to Georgia Southern, 11-5.
 
Texas State is fifth in the nation and first in the Sun Belt in hits allowed per nine innings (6.38).
 
Senior outfielder Derek Scheible currently ranks second in the Sun Belt and 14^th in the nation in home runs (7).
 
The Bobcats are coming off of a three-game sweep of Appalachian State and will face UTSA tonight.
 
THE CARDINAL FILE
13-9 Overall, 3-3 SLC
Head Coach: Patrick Hallmark
Leaders:
No. 21 Jr. OF Eddy Gonzalez – .384 AVG, 28 H, 14 R, 9 RBI, 1 HR
No. 24 So. C Kyle Bergeron – .371 AVG, 33 H, 17 RBI, 14 R, 2 HR
No. 5 Fr. OF Ridge Rogers – .329 AVG, 23 H, 13 R, 7 RBI, 3 SB
Summary:
UIW finished its 2017 campaign with a 20-36 overall record and an 8-22 mark in Southland Conference play. After winning five consecutive games over Maine and Abilene Christian, the Cardinals are looking to bounce back from a three-game sweep at Central Arkansas over the weekend.
 
UIW ranks first in the Southland Conference in shutouts (2) and third in the nation in sacrifice flies (15).
 
David Anaya is the nation's individual leader in sac flies (6). Kyle Bergeron ranks first in the Southland and 18^th nationally in hits (33).
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
Texas State owns a 23-9 advantage in the all-time series with UIW. The Bobcats picked up a three-game sweep over the Cardinals in the most recent meeting between the programs in 2016.
 
UP NEXT
 
The battle of the Cardinals will take place this weekend as UIW hosts a Southland Conference series with Lamar, beginning Friday at 6:30 p.m. Game two is set for 2 p.m. Saturday, with the finale set for 1 p.m. Sunday.
 
STAY TUNED
 
UIW will host Southern on Tuesday, Mar. 27 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.