SAN ANTONIO -- The University of the Incarnate Word baseball team returns to Sullivan Field, hosting Northwestern State in a three-game, Southland Conference series starting Friday. Friday's game is slated for 3 p.m. (CT), while Saturday and Sunday are scheduled for noon starts.
 
FIRST PITCH
The Cardinals are 28-18 overall with a 12-9 mark in SLC play. They defeated UTRGV, 11-4, on Tuesday night at UTRGV Baseball Stadium. With the win, UIW has secured a winning regular season for the first time since joining the Division I ranks and the Southland Conference.
 
Northwestern State is 25-19 overall and 11-10 in SLC action after winning its series (2-1) against Houston Baptist. The Demons won games one and two (4-3, 7-4) before dropping game three (3-2). NSU is 10-10 on the road this season.
 
The teams last met May 5-7, 2017. The Cardinals won the series opener, 2-0, before dropping games two and three 10-7 and 11-1, respectively.
 
SCOUTING NORTHWESTERN STATE
Record: 25-19, 11-10 SLC
Head Coach: Bobby Barbier
Leaders:
No. 10 Sr. OF Kwan Adkins - .352 AVG, 57 H, 27 R, 16 RBI
No. 1 Sr. IF David Fry - .349 AVG, 61 H, 37 R, 40 RBI
No. 4 Jr. INF Luke Watson - .288 AVG, 42 H, 26 R, 15 RBI
 
How They Rank:

• The Demons rank third in the nation and first in the SLC with 50 double plays.
• Northwestern State leads the league and ranks No. 17 in the nation with a 3.22 ERA.

 
THE CARDINALS FILE
Record: 28-18 Overall, 12-9 SLC
Head Coach: Patrick Hallmark
Leaders:
No. 21 Jr. OF Eddy Gonzalez - .368 AVG, 68 H, 38 R, 27 RBI
No. 30 Fr. IF/P Ryan Flores - .360 AVG, 45 H, 17 R, 19 RBI
No. 5 Fr. OF Ridge Rogers - .355 AVG, 61 H, 29 R, 31 RBI
 
How They Rank:

• UIW ranks No. 11 in the nation and leads the conference with 475 hits.
• The Cardinals lead the SLC and rank 11th in the nation with a .405 on-base percentage.
• UIW leads the SLC and ranks No. 20 in the nation with a .299 batting average.
• E. Gonzalez ranks No. 1 in the SLC and No. 18 in the nation with 68 hits.

 
UP NEXT
UIW travels to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on May 11-13. Friday's game is set for a 6 p.m. (CT). Saturday's game starts at 4 p.m., while Sunday's game has a 1 p.m. first pitch.
 
STAY TUNED
The Cardinals host Sam Houston State on May 17-19 to close out the regular season. Friday's game is slated for 6:30 p.m., while Saturday's first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday's Senior Day game is set for 1 p.m.
 
To purchase tickets to any 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.