SAN ANTONIO -- The University of the Incarnate Word baseball team opens its 2020 season this weekend, hosting Bradley University in a three-game series at Daniel Sullivan Field, sponsored by H-E-B. Game one is set for Friday at 6:30 p.m. (CT).
 
 
THE GAMES
Friday, Feb. 14, at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 15, at 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 16, at 1 p.m.
 
MARKETING AND PROMOTIONS

• Giveaway- 2020 home schedule poster
• Fans are encouraged to get the posters signed by the players after the game.

 
QUICK HITS

• The Cardinals are coming off a record-breaking 2019 season, where they made their first appearance in the Southland Conference Tournament in program history, earning the No. 4 seed.
• UIW placed four student-athletes on the Southland Conference Preseason All-Conference teams. Ryan Flores and Sean Arnold earned first team honors, while Lee Thomas and Luke Taggart were selected for the second team. 
• The Cardinals return three starting pitchers – Taggart, Aaron Celestino and Andrew Morgan – along with three relief pitchers, including Michael Garza, Johnny Foral and Michael McElmeel.
• Four of the Cardinals' power hitters – Flores, Arnold, Thomas and Ridge Rogers – return to the team as well.
• The team welcomes 17 newcomers, including 10 freshman and seven transfers, to bring fresh enthusiasm.

 
HISTORY VS BRADLEY

• UIW holds a 1-0 record against Bradley in the all-time series.
• The teams faced off on Feb. 26, 2016, when UIW secured a 6-2 victory over the Braves.

 
SCOUTING THE BRAVES

• Bradley ended the 2019 season with a 31-19 record, 11-10 in Mountain Valley Conference play.
•  The Braves' top four hitters by batting average return for the 2020 season; each hitter earned All-MVC honors last season.
• Dan Bolt earned MVC Preseason All-Conference this season after hitting .327 with 11 home runs and 40 RBI last season.

 
HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST SEASON

• UIW's 37 wins overall and 18 wins in conference play in 2019 mark the most in both categories since 2011.
• Last season marked the first time in program history that the Cardinals have defeated two ranked teams in a season (Texas A&M and Texas). 2019 also marked the first time in program history that the Cardinals defeated three Power 5 opponents in a season (Notre Dame, Texas A&M and Texas). 
• UIW led the conference with eight Southland All-Conference selections in 2019, including Arnold, Flores and Thomas.
• In 2019, the Cardinals led the conference in batting average (.305), fielding percentage (.977), on-base percentage (.393) and slugging percentage (.485).
• They also led the SLC with 127 doubles, 622 hits, 64 home runs, 397 runs, 37 sacrifice flies and 24 triples.

 
SHOTZ'S SLUGGERS

• A handful of sluggers return this season to bring power to the lineup.
• Flores was named to the Southland Preseason first team. He ended the 2019 season with a .608 slugging percentage, second best on the team. Flores also had the second-most home runs (12) along with 18 doubles and two triples.
• Thomas was named to the Southland Preseason second team. He tied Flores for second-most home runs (12) while also recording 10 doubles for a .533 slugging percentage.
• Two other sluggers who have previously been named to the Bobby Bragan Collegiate Slugger Award Watch List, including Kyle Bergeron and Ridge Rogers, also return.

 
ON DECK
The Cardinals participate in the annual Alamo Irish Classic on Feb. 20-23, playing against Notre Dame, UTSA and Toledo throughout the four-day tournament. UIW begins the tournament by facing Notre Dame on Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. at Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium.
 
FAN INVOLVEMENT 
Click HERE to support the UIW baseball program through Dollars for Dingers and Kash for K's. 
 
To purchase season memberships, contact UIW Director of Ticketing Alma Lara at 210-805-3012 or aylara@uiwtx.edu. 
 
DUGOUT CLUB
Join UIW baseball's Dugout Club for exclusive benefits. Fans can find the form here. The form can be filled out and returned to Danielle Shedd at dshedd@uiwtx.edu.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics, visit uiwcardinals.com, follow the Cardinals on Twitter @UIWAthleticsand like UIW Athletics on Facebook at UIW Athletics.
 
Follow UIW Baseball on Twitter @UIWBaseball and on Instagram @uiwbaseball.