SAN ANTONIO -- The University of the Incarnate Word baseball team returns to Southland Conference play, hosting a three-game series against Nicholls on Friday-Sunday. 
 
Friday's game is slated for 6:30 p.m. (CT), followed by Saturday's game at 2 p.m. Sunday's series finale is scheduled for 1 p.m.
 
FIRST PITCH
 
The Cardinals are coming off of Tuesday's record-breaking 31-2 win against Prairie View A&M. UIW scored 25 runs in three innings en route to the victory.
 
UIW looks to advance its three-game winning streak and 17-4 home record.
 
The Colonels are also on a three-game winning streak after sweeping a doubleheader against Alcorn State on Wednesday.
 
Nicholls is 13-21 overall and 5-7 in Southland action. The Colonels are 1-7 on the road.
 
SCOUTING THE COLONELS
Record: 13-21 Overall, 5-7 SLC
Head Coach: Seth Thibodeaux
Leaders:
No. 12 Jr. INF Brady Bell - .327 AVG, 32 H, 17 RBI, 16 R, 2 HR
No. 3 Jr. INF Ethan Valdez - .320 AVG, 40 H, 28 R, 16 RBI,
No. 22 Sr. INF Joey Morales - .309 AVG, 38 H, 18 R, 16 RBI, 1HR
How They Rank:

• Nicholls is currently fifth in the nation and second in the SLC in sacrifice bunts (33).
• Gage Teer is second in the SLC (behind UIW's David Anaya) in sacrifice flies (4).

 
THE CARDINALS FILE
Record: 22-12 Overall, 8-4 SLC
Head Coach: Patrick Hallmark
Leaders:
No.5 Fr. OF Ridge Rogers - .381 AVG, 45 H, 25 R, 21 RBI
No. 21 Jr. OF Eddy Gonzalez - .376 AVG, 47 H, 25 R, 19 RBI
No. 24 So. C Kyle Bergeron - .362 AVG, 51 H, 33 RBI, 31 R, 4 HR
How They Rank:

• UIW ranks ninth in the nation and is first in the league with a .408 on-base percentage.
• The Cardinals are eighth in the nation and lead the SLC in sacrifice flies (21).
• David Anaya leads the conference and is second in the nation in sacrifice flies (7).

 
UP NEXT
 
The Cardinals start their two-week road tour April 17 against Prairie View A&M. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
 
 
STAY TUNED
 
UIW returns to Southland Conference play April 20-22, traveling to Houston Baptist for a three-game series.
 
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, follow the Cardinals on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like UIW Athletics on Facebook at UIW Athletics.