SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word baseball team snapped an eight-game losing streak defeating New Orleans, 6-3, in game four of the weekend series on Sunday afternoon at Sullivan Field, sponsored by H-E-B.

New Orleans opened scoring in the first inning putting up two runs before the seventh batter was struck out by Isaiah Zavala who started on the mound.

The Cardinals put a coin in the merry-go-round to kickstart the offense sending nine to the plate in the bottom of the first. Ridge Rogers hit a grounder up the middle over second base for a single. Grant Smith followed it up with a grounder to advance Rogers.

Lee Thomas sent Rogers home with an RBI single to left field, then Wilson Erhardt sent Smith and Lee home with a grounder and no outs on the board to put the score at 3-2.

Ryan Flores reached on a base hit out to right field to load the bases, so when Noah Brewer grounded out with a hit off the pitcher's shin, it allowed Ehrhardt to cross home plate for an RBI giving the Cardinals a 4-2 lead.

Thomas hit one out of the park in the bottom of the next inning for a solo home run and now leads the team with five home runs on the season marking his 200th career hit.

Brown got on base in the third inning hitting a double off the wall to split the right and center fielders, for his first hit of the game. Flores followed it up with a double of his own, splitting the outfielders again, to send Brown home.

Flores got to third on a wild pitch to Noah Brewer that forced UNO to make its second pitching change but was left stranded on base.  

In the top of the fifth, the third batter hit one at Zavala on the mound who picked it up, dished it off to Smith at second base then off to Flores for the double play, holding UNO to another scoreless inning.

Zavala kept the Privateers at bay through the top of the sixth, striking out seven in the process before they were able to sneak in a run in the top of the seventh. 

Michael McElmeel took over on the mound for Zavala, who was able to shut the Privateers down for his first save of the year.

UNO threatened to score in the top of the ninth with bases loaded and two outs on the board, but a fly ball caught by Landon Etzel at left field sealed the win for the Cardinals.

Postgame Notes:

• Lee Thomas ranks first at UIW, with 25 home runs, among players since the Cardinals moved up to Division I. Five of those occurred this season.
• Thomas recorded his 200th career hit when he hit it out of the park.
• McElmeel recorded his first save of the season in 2.1 innings.

ON DECK  
The Cardinals hit the road to Abilene Christian for a four game weekend series starting at 6:05 p.m. (CT) at Crutcher Scott Field.
 
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.   
 
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