SAN ANTONIO -- The University of the Incarnate Word baseball team defeated crosstown rival UTSA, 7-3, in the final game of the Alamo Irish Classic at Wolff Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The win marks UIW's first over UTSA since May 2016.
 
NOTABLES

• Junior right-handed pitcher Aaron Celestino (2-0) earned the win for UIW. He was dominant on the mound, retiring all 14 batters he faced in 4.2 scoreless innings. He also recorded three strikeouts. 
• Junior center fielder Ridge Rogers led the Cardinals with three hits, while freshman shortstop Grant Smith went 2-for-3 with three RBI.
• Smith and left fielder Landon Etzel both reached base for the sixth consecutive game.
• Three Cardinals have streaks dating back to the 2019 season – Rogers is on an eight-game hitting streak, Chance Medina is on a seven-game reached base streak, and Lee Thomas is on a seven-game hitting streak and a 12-game reached base streak.
• All nine batters for UIW reached base, while seven of them reached on a hit.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Cardinals threatened to score early in the bottom of the second inning as Rogers singled to center field with two runners on. Junior right fielder Drew Minter rounded third and headed home, but was thrown out at the plate by the center fielder. 
 
With no outs in the bottom of the fourth and runners on first and second, Minter hit a line drive down the left-field line, which got by the left fielder to the wall for an RBI double. With runners on second and third, Smith smacked a two-run single down the left-field line to give UIW a 3-0 advantage.
 
UTSA drove in three runs in the top of the fifth, knotting the game at 3-3. Medina skied a fly ball into shallow left field for a double in the bottom of the frame and junior first baseman Ryan Flores followed with a single through the left side of the infield. Medina scored and Flores advanced to second on the throw home. Minter grounded out to first base, but a run scored on the play to extend the Cardinals' lead to 5-3. 
 
After a quiet sixth inning, Flores reached base on an error in the bottom of the seventh. Junior third baseman Grady Davenport hit a blooper into shallow right field to advance Flores to third. Smith then hit a ground ball through the left side of the infield for an RBI single to increase UIW's lead to 6-3. Rogers singled to left to load the bases and redshirt junior catcher Kyle Bergeron walked to drive in a run to make it a 7-3 game.
 
Celestino shut down the Roadrunners over the next two innings to seal the 7-3 victory.
 
RECORDS UPDATE
UIW: 4-2
UTSA: 6-2
 
ON DECK
UIW makes its annual trip to College Station, Texas, for a matchup with No. 20 Texas A&M on Wednesday, Feb. 26. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. (CT).
 
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.