SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Bernie Martinez tossed 131 pitches in a complete-game effort on Friday night, leading the University of the Incarnate Word baseball team to a 5-2 victory over rival Abilene Christian in the Southland Conference opener for both clubs.
 
HOW IT WAS WON
 
The Cardinals (9-6, 1-0 SLC) scored first, when David Anaya drove in Ridge Rogers with a single to left field in the opening frame.
 
UIW secured a 5-0 lead in the second, taking advantage of four hits and an error by the Wildcats (10-2, 0-1 SLC) to plate four.
 
ACU got on the board in the third, capitalizing on a pair of singles and a sac bunt to make it a 5-1 ballgame.
 
The Wildcats threatened with two runners on in the fifth, but Martinez struck out opposing pitcher Derek Scott to end the inning. After an emphatic yell and fist pump from Martinez, he and Scott shared a lengthy stare down before heading to their respective dugouts.
 
ACU chipped away at the lead in the sixth with an RBI triple.
 
After a scoreless seventh and eighth, having already thrown 112 pitches, Martinez took the mound in the ninth to polish off his complete-game gem.
 
Martinez retired the first two batters, before a pair of infield dribblers placed two runners on and brought Scott back to the plate. Martinez sat him down with three straight pitches to seal the victory.
 
LEADERS
 
Last week's Southland Conference Hitter of the Week, Rogers continued his red-hot batting with a 3-for-5 outing, 2 runs and an RBI. Eddy Gonzalez went 2-for-3 with a run scored, while Tyler Pettit finished 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run.
 
Kyle Caleb paced the Wildcats with a 2-for-4 night and an RBI.
 
Martinez (2-1) picked up the victory, allowing 2 runs on 10 hits through 9.0 innings on the mound. He fanned 6 batters without a single walk.
 
Scott (0-1) took the loss, surrendering 5 runs (4 earned) on 10 hits through 5.0 innings of work. He struck out 2 and walked 1.

UP NEXT
 
The Cardinals and Wildcats will meet for game two of their series at 2 p.m. on Saturday, before closing out the weekend with a 1 p.m. finale on Sunday.
 
STAY TUNED
 
UIW hosts a two-game midweek matchup with Maine, beginning Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Game two of the series is set for 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
 
To purchase tickets to any UIW Athletics home event, contact Ticket Sales Coordinator Alma Lara at 210-805-3012.
 
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