SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word baseball team outplayed No. 30 Texas State on Wednesday night, but late errors and missed opportunities allowed the home team to steal a 6-5, walk-off victory at Bobcat Ballpark.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
The Cardinals (13-10, 3-3 SLC) capitalized on a mistake by the Bobcats (14-4-1, 3-0 Sun Belt) to grab a 2-0 lead in the third inning. Ridge Rogers singled to left field and advanced to third on a failed pickoff that sailed deep into right. After a Sean Arnold walk, Kyle Bergeron scored Rogers on a single to left center. Arnold moved to third on the play and was driven in by Eddy Gonzalez two pitches later.
 
UIW threatened again in the top of the fourth. The Cardinals loaded the bases with no outs after a Lee Thomas single to center, Ryan Gonzalez double down the left field line and a Ryan Flores walk. Texas State was able to escape the inning unscathed when UIW grounded into a double play and the next batter was retired on strikes.
 
The Bobcats cut the advantage in half in the seventh when Ryan Newman took advantage of a heavy northerly wind to sneak a solo home run over the left field wall.
 
UIW returned the favor in the eighth inning, when David Anaya crushed a no-doubter that gave the Cardinals a 3-1 lead.
 
Drama ensued in the bottom of the frame. With one out, Texas State took advantage of a mistake by UIW to add a run. Jonathan Ortega notched a double to left center before moving to third on a wild pitch. The following batter grounded out, but Ortega was able to come in on the play. Reenergized, the Bobcats followed with a single, double and single consecutively to plate a game-tying run before the Cardinals could end the inning.
 
UIW answered the bell in the ninth, scoring a pair to capture a 5-3 lead. Rogers led off with a single to second, before an Arnold sac bunt moved him up. Bergeron drew a walk, and both base runners advanced on an Eddy Gonzalez ground out to first. Two pitches layer, Anaya punched a single down the left field line, just out of the reach of the third baseman's glove. The ball traveled deep into the left field corner, allowing Rogers and Bergeron to come home.
 
Aided by an error and a hit batter, Texas State loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the inning and scored on a sac fly to make it a 5-4 contest. The Cardinals retired two, before a four-pitch walk loaded the bases. One pitch later, Jared Huber doubled to left center, scoring two as the Bobcats stormed the field in celebration.
 
LEADERS
 
Rogers finished 4-for-5 with a pair of runs to pace the UIW offense. Anaya went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and 3 RBIs. Bergeron turned in a 2-for-4 performance with a run and an RBI.
 
Ortega led Texas State offensively, going 3-for-5 with two runs scored.
 
Starter Jake Zatopek completely shut down the Bobcats, who must have breathed a sigh of relief as he was pulled in the fifth. Zatopek surrendered just 2 hits through 4.1 innings, while striking out 4. Cody Allen and Tyler Perez were each impressive in relief. Bernie Martinez (2-2) took the loss, surrendering 5 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits through 1.2 innings.
 
Braden Pearson (1-0) was gifted the win, tossing the final 0.1 innings and sitting down the only batter he faced.
 
UP NEXT
 
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. Game two is set for 2 p.m. Saturday, with the finale scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday.
 
STAY TUNED
 
UIW hosts Southern at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
 
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.