NATCHITOCHES, La. – The University of the Incarnate Word clung to a 5-4 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth inning. A one-out walk and a triple tied the game to set up the Demons' walk-off the finish of the four-game series, 6-5, at Brown Stroud Field, Sunday afternoon.
The Cardinals (5-4, 2-2 SLC) had another strong pitching performance out of starter Aaron Celestino (4.0 innings) and Michael McElmeel who combined for 7 2/3 innings with five strikeouts and three earned runs. Wilson Ehrhardt collected a team-leading three hits (3-for-5), as Grant Smith and Trent Koerner each scored twice for the red and black.
The Demons (7-7, 2-2 SLC) tacked on a run in their first at-bats after a Jake Haze double and advancing to third on a passed ball for Dante Stuart to grab an RBI groundout to second.
UIW and NSU traded runs in the second inning with the Cardinals tying the game at one after Smith walked and a Ridge Rogers single to right field. Smith later scored on an error by the shortstop who tried applying the tag on Rogers who stole second. The Demons also benefited from a throwing error in the bottom of the inning to grab a 2-1 lead.
UIW got back out on top after the fourth inning courtesy of the bottom of the lineup. Lee Thomas and Smith started the inning with back-to-back walks, NSU starter Josh Banes looked like he was going to get out of the inning with a Rogers sac bunt and Zach Limas lined out to third base, but Trent Koerner broke through from the nine-spot with a bloop single to score both Smith and Thomas. Ehrhardt continued the inning with a single before an NSU pitching change, Taylor Darden watched four pitches go by for a walk to load the bases and Ryan Flores drew a full-count walk to score Koerner from third as the Cardinals took a 4-2 lead.
UIW and NSU again traded one-spots in the eighth inning, the Cardinals Ehrhardt poked a two-out single to right field to advance Koerner to third who walked earlier in the inning. Koerner eventually scored on a passed ball before Flores hit a deep fly ball to center field to end the top of the inning. The Demons responded with a leadoff Dante Stuart single to start the inning, Stuart motored around to third in an error and scored on a groundout in the next at-bat.
Evan Daigle came out for the top of the ninth inning to get a pop fly and two UIW ground outs in the top of the ninth to set up the NSU comeback.
UP NEXT
The Cardinals return to Sullivan Field for the next two four-game series against Southeastern Louisiana on March 19-21, and Central Arkansas, March 26-29, straddling a trip to Texas on Wednesday, March 24.
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