THIBODAUX, Louisiana --The University of the Incarnate Word baseball team defeated Nicholls, 7-4, after a back-and-forth battle on Sunday afternoon to take the conference series victory in Thibodaux, Louisiana. 
 
NOTABLES

• Bernie Martinez earned the win, striking out three batters in 3.1 innings pitched.
• Ryan Flores led the team with a 2-for-5 outing, including three RBI, two runs, a double and a home run.
• Chance Medina went 2-for-3 with a RBI, a run and a home run.
• Sean Arnold, Ryan Gonzalez, Taylor Smith and Shea Gutierrez contributed two hits apiece.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Cardinals opened scoring in the top of the first. Antonio Valdez scored on a R. Gonzalez double to give UIW an early 1-0 lead. The Colonels quickly responded in the bottom of the frame, plating a run to tie the game at 1-1.
 
After a scoreless second inning, UIW regained the lead in the top of the third when Medina hit a solo home run down the left field line to give the Cardinals a 2-1 advantage. Nicholls answered in the bottom with two runs to leave UIW trailing, 3-2.
 
After two more scoreless innings, the Cardinals again took the lead in the top of the sixth. An RBI double by Taylor Smith and a RBI sacrifice fly by Lee Thomas plated two runs to give UIW the 4-3 lead. The Colonels responded in the bottom of the seventh, plating a run to tie the game at 4-4.
 
After another scoreless frame in the eighth, Flores hit a three-RBI bomb to secure the 7-4 win for UIW.
 
RECORDS UPDATE
UIW: 23-13, 11-7 SLC
Nicholls: 18-18, 9-9 SLC
 
UP NEXT
The Cardinals return home for a three-game conference series against Houston Baptist on April 18-20. First pitch of game one is set for 6:30 p.m. (CT) at Daniel Sullivan Field, sponsored by H-E-B.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
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