SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word baseball team remains on the road with a matchup of birds at Rice on Tuesday, April 13, with the first pitch set for 6:30 p.m. (CT) at Reckling Park.
UIW (12-15, 8-11 SLC) is looking to turn the tide of a four-game slide after falling to Southland Conference foe, McNeese over the weekend. The Owls are looking to get back in the win column after being swept by Conference-USA foe No. 16 Louisiana Tech.
THE GAME
(Watch|Listen|LiveStats)
Tuesday, April 13, 6:30 p.m. (CT)
UIW QUICK HITS
- 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.
- Thomas and Smith lead the offense with 28 hits each. Thomas has a team-high 23 RBIs, four triples, and four home runs this season. Smith is second with three home runs and 21 RBIs.
- Taylor Darden is pacing the Cardinals with a .333 batting average for a team that is hitting .251 combined.
- Michael Garza joined Isaiah Zavala with a complete-game effort against McNeese. Garza leads the pitching staff with 45 strikeouts in 38 innings of work and holding opponents to a .247 batting average.
- Michael McElmeel leads the red and black pitching with a 2.50 ERA in eight appearances and two wins this season.
HISTORY vs. RICE
- UIW is 0-4 all-time against Rice. Tuesday's meeting marks the first time the two teams go head-to-head since the 1994 season.
SCOUTING THE OWLS
- Rice (13-18-1, 2-9-1 C-USA) is hitting a collective .261 at the plate this season as Braden Comeaux leads the Owls with a .339 batting average and a team-high 39 hits.
- Cade Edwards leads the team with eight home runs and ranks second for the Owls with a .291 batting average.
- The Owls' pitching staff brings in a 6.17 team ERA and an opponent batting average of .279
- Brandon Deskins and Mitchell Holcomb lead the staff with 53 and 40 strikeouts, respectively. Dalton Wood holds a team-low 2.25 ERA.
ON DECK
The Cardinals are back at Sullivan Field, sponsored by H-E-B to take on New Orleans in Southland Conference action starting Friday, April 16, at 6:30 p.m. (CT).
FAN INVOLVEMENT
Join Cardinals Club today! Email UIW Baseball Director of Operations, Maddy Jordan (majorda1@uiwtx.edu) for more information.
**Due to COVID-19 safety guidelines, all home UIW baseball events are sold out and tickets will not be available for purchase. Visitors must be on the home player/coach pass list.
FOLLOW ALONG
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics, visit uiwcardinals.com, follow the Cardinals on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like UIW Athletics on Facebook.
Follow the team on Twitter and on Instagram @UIWbaseball.
