CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Senior Tyler Miller pitched a complete-game gem, striking out nine batters, but the University of the Incarnate Word baseball team lost 4-3 at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Saturday afternoon at Chapman Field.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
Similar to Friday night, UIW (29-22 overall, 13-13 SLC) jumped out to a 2-0 lead, only to see the Islanders (26-26, 10-16) come back for the win.
 
Ryan Gonzalez got the Cardinal offense going with a solo home run in the top of the second. After Shea Gutierrez followed with a double, Lee Thomas drove him home with an RBI single to put the Cardinals up 2-0.
 
TAMUCC chipped away at the lead, as Jackson Owens' RBI single in the bottom of the third cut the deficit in half, 2-1.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, the Islanders scored twice to take a 3-2 lead. Itchy Burts' RBI single tied the game, then Owens reached on an error, which allowed another Islander run to score.
 
UIW had a chance to tie or retake the lead in the top of the seventh. But, with runners on second and third with just one out, Islander pitcher A.G. Ayala struck out the next two batters to end the threat. The Islanders took advantage of the visitors' misfortune in the bottom half of the frame, as another UIW error allowed TAMUCC's fourth run to score. UIW answered in the top of the eighth, as Ryan Flores' ground out allowed Kyle Bergeron to score. The Cardinals went down in order in the top of the ninth.
 
LEADERS
 
For the second game in a row, Gutierrez registered two hits to lead the Cardinals. Miller's stat line read eight innings pitched, seven hits, four runs allowed (two earned), and one walk while striking out nine.
 
Enrique Sanchez Jr. went 3-for-4 in the leadoff position for the Islanders. Ayala earned the win as he tossed seven innings of four-hit ball, two runs allowed, and two walks while striking out seven. Cody LeCompte earned the save, as he allowed one hit and struck out one in two innings.
 
UP NEXT

The Cardinals and Islanders end the three-game series with a 1 p.m scheduled first pitch on Mother's Day Sunday.
 
STAY TUNED
 
UIW ends the regular season hosting Sam Houston State next Thursday through Saturday, May 17-19.
 
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.