SAN ANTONIO – There is finally light at the end of the tunnel for the University of the Incarnate Word baseball. After more than 11 months being away from game action, after the 2020 season was cut short on March 13 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cardinals are ready to get the first pitch of the 2021 season underway in a three-game series against Texas Southern. The first game is set for Friday, Feb. 26 at 6:30 p.m. CT at UIW's Sullivan Field, sponsored by H-E-B.  

Navigating through the long offseason was a challenge for second-year head coach Ryan Shotzberger, who was only able to get 16 games in during his first season at UIW. The team is looking forward to finally be able to compete against a team not in UIW red and black during intrasquad practices.  

Leading into the season-opener against the Tigers, the Cardinals boast their top three hitters from last season in Grant Smith, Lee Thomas and Ridge Rogers. Smith and Thomas are Southland Preseason All-Conference second-team selections along with Ryan Flores' first-team selection heading into the season and the black and red return 18 student-athletes including nine pitchers. Shotzberger is excited to see the competition for a starting position play out this season with 29 newcomers to the roster.  

"We needed to create depth and with that creates more competition to get on the field," Shotzberger said. "Any time I can add depth with quality student-athletes, I am going to take advantage of that. We have competition at every spot on the field this season and there is really no days off in practice and especially with the coronavirus testing that we are doing, we do not know who could be available week-by-week, so having guys come in to play multiple positions at a high level is something we need to take advantage of this season and I am excited to watch them get out to play."  

THE GAMES  

Friday, Feb. 26, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 27, 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 28, 1:00 p.m.

UIW QUICK HITS  

• The Cardinals went 9-7 in the shortened 2020 season.  
• UIW placed three student-athletes on the Southland Conference Preseason All-Conference teams. Ryan Flores earned first team honors for the second year in a row, while Lee Thomas and Grant Smith were selected for the second team.   
• The Cardinals return 18 student-athletes including nine pitchers and welcome 29 newcomers to the 2021 roster including; 15 freshmen, nine sophomores, three juniors, and two graduate transfers.  
• A pair of fresh faces get the nod for Opening Day and Saturday's game starts. Redshirt sophomore Carson Rollins gets the call for Opening Day. Rollins played at Navarro Junior College with a 13-2 record with a 2.45 ERA. Freshman Bryson Walker will throw on Saturday night. Walker threw for Jersey Village High School, compiling 82 strikeouts and a 3.75 ERA in 61.2 innings of work.  

HISTORY vs. TEXAS SOUTHERN  

• UIW holds a 4-2 record over Texas Southern in the all-time series.  
• The last time out, the Cardinals defeated the Tigers, 7-4, on April 8, 2018.  

SCOUTING THE TIGERS  

• TSU held a 7-12 record and a four-game win streak before the 2020 season ended.  
• Texas Southern is 0-4 to start the 2021 season with losses to Houston and a loss to TCU on Tuesday, Feb. 23.  
• The Tigers have ten pitchers who have appeared in their four games this season. Alex Olguin leads the pack with a 2.25 ERA in four innings of work and one start.  
• Nic Garza leads TSU offensively with a .636 batting average, on a team-leading seven hits and two doubles.  

ON DECK
The Cardinals travel to College Station to challenge Texas A&M on Wednesday, March 3, then, host Houston on Wednesday, March 10, both games set for a 6:30 p.m. start. 

FAN INVOLVEMENT
Click HERE to support the UIW baseball program through Dollars for Dingers and Kash for K's.   

**Due to COVID-19 safety guidelines, all home UIW baseball events are sold out. Tickets will not be available for purchase. 

FOLLOW ALONG
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics, visit uiwathletics.com, follow the Cardinals on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like UIW Athletics on Facebook.  

Follow the team on Twitter and on Instagram @UIWbaseball.