CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word baseball team forced extra innings with a game-tying hit by pitch in the top of the ninth, but Texas A&M-Corpus Christi walked off winners in the 11^th to defeat the Cardinals, 5-4, Friday evening from Whataburger Field.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
UIW (29-20 overall, 13-11 SLC) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the second, thanks to an Islander (24-26, 8-16) error which allowed Shea Gutierrez and Eddy Gonzalez to score. The Cardinals increased their lead to 3-0 an inning later on an RBI single from Kyle Bergeron.
 
TAMUCC tied the game with a three-run fourth. Starting things off with a UIW error to put the hosts on the board, Andriud Martinez and Steven Rivera followed with consecutive RBI singles.
 
Martinez's sac fly put the Islanders ahead for the first time in the game, 4-3, in the bottom of the eighth, but the Cardinals answered in the ninth, as Bergeron was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, allowing Ryan Gonzalez to score.
 
In the top of the 10^th, UIW's first two batters singled and were on second and third with only one out, but Islander hurler, Chris Cooper, struck out the next two batters to get out of the inning unscathed.
 
After getting TAMUCC out in order in the bottom half of the inning in his first action of the game, Luke Taggart (4-4) ran into some trouble in the bottom of the 11^th. After getting the first two batters out, pinch hitter Thomas Jeffries IV singled and advanced to second on a Cardinal error. After advancing to third on a passed ball, he scored on Jackson Owens' RBI double to end the game.
 
LEADERS
 
Shea Gutierrez and Ryan Gonzalez each registered two hits to lead the UIW offense. Taggart took the loss in relief, as he allowed two hits, one run, and one walk while striking out a pair in 1.2 innings. Starter Bernie Martinez pitched effectively, scattering 10 hits while allowing three runs (zero earned) and striking out six in 6.2 innings.
 
Nick Anderson went 3-for-5 with a double and a run scored to lead the Islanders. Cooper earned the win on the mound, as he allowed just three hits and struck out four in 2.2 innings.
 
UP NEXT

The Cardinals and Islanders resume the three-game series with a 4 p.m. first pitch on Saturday, May 12.
 
STAY TUNED
 
The series concludes on Mother's Day Sunday with a 1 p.m. scheduled first pitch.
 
To purchase tickets, 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.