SAN ANTONIO -- The University of the Incarnate Word baseball team picks up their second win in the Shotzberger era as the Cardinals defeated Bradley, 11-4, on Saturday night at Daniel Sullivan Field, sponsored by HEB. This second win clinched the series victory over Bradley; UIW goes for the sweep on Sunday at 1 p.m. (CT).
 
NOTABLES

• Starting pitcher Isaiah Zavala recorded his first four collegiate strikeouts in 3.1 innings pitched. 
• Drew Minter tallied his first two hits as a Cardinal, while also picking up his first two stolen bases and four RBI.
• Jake Zatopek (1-0) earned the win for UIW, his first win since April 2018. 
• Ridge Rogers hit his first career home run and the Cardinals' first dinger of the season, after the team led the conference in home runs last season.

• The Cardinals handed Bradley pitcher Matt Hamilton (0-1) his first loss since May 2018.
• Chance Medina recorded his first hit of the season, a single to left field in the fourth inning.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Zavala started on the mound for UIW and got through his first career inning scoreless as UIW's defense stood strong against a tough Bradley offense. After UIW's Andy Rodriguez singled and Ryan Flores walked, the Cardinals quickly brought them home to open the scoring in the bottom of the first. Lee Thomas smoked a single through the right side to drive in Rodriguez, then Minter recorded his first hit as a Cardinal, blasting a two-bagger to left center to drive Flores and Thomas home and give UIW a 3-0 lead. 
 
After a hiccup to start the second, in which Bradley scored two runs to make the score 3-2 in favor of UIW, Zavala picked up his first two collegiate strikeouts to get out of the inning. This was the closest UIW allowed the Braves for the rest of the game.
 
UIW furthered its lead to 8-2, exploding for five runs in the bottom of the second. First, Grant Smith scored on a Rodriguez single through the left side. Then, with the bases loaded, Thomas walked on four pitches, bringing home Etzel. Minter singled to shortstop to drive in Rodriguez and Medina before the Cardinals got crafty, successfully executing a double steal as Minter stole second and Thomas stole home.
 
Zavala struck out two more batters in the top of the third. Two more scoreless innings commenced before Bradley attempted a comeback, tacking on two runs in the top of the fifth to make the score 8-4 in favor of UIW, but the Cardinals refused to let the Braves back in the game. 
 
After a scoreless sixth inning, Ridge Rogers blasted his first career home run, going over the wall in right field to give the Cardinals a 9-4 lead in the bottom of the seventh. Ron Brown entered in relief, locking in a scoreless eighth inning with a strikeout. Brown's teammates backed him up with two more insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth as Flores scored on a Medina double and Medina scored on a Thomas single, making the score 11-4.
 
Michael Garza, UIW's final pitcher of the game, closed out the contest with a strikeout, fly out and foul out to secure the 11-4 victory for the Cardinals.
 
RECORDS UPDATE
UIW: 2-0
Bradley: 0-2
 
ON DECK
The Cardinals close their three-game series against Bradley on Sunday. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Daniel Sullivan Field, sponsored by H-E-B.
 
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.