SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word baseball team opens its 2022 season against Tarleton State University on Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 6:30 p.m. CT at the Tarleton Baseball Complex. The Cardinals will then compete at Sullivan Field, sponsored by H-E-B, in a three-game series against South Dakota State University on Feb. 24-26. First pitch will be thrown at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
 
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QUICK HITS

• The Cardinals are led by head coach Ryan Shotzberger, who is in his third season at UIW.
• Two student-athletes were named to the Southland Conference Pre-Season All-Conference second team – Nixon Brannan and Grant Smith.
• Smith had a season-high three hits against Houston Baptist University and four RBIs against Prairie View A&M during the 2021 season. He finished his sophomore campaign with 55 hits and a batting average of .293.  
• Brannan came to UIW from North Central Texas College where he had a batting average of .296 with 32 hits and 29 runs through 32 games. 

 
HISTORY VS. TARLETON

• The Cardinals are 6-8 against the Texans.
• UIW last saw Tarleton on May 3, 2013.

 
SCOUTING THE TEXANS

• Tarleton finished last season 20-35 overall and 13-23 in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).
• The Texans are 1-2 on the 2022 season following an opening weekend series against UTSA.
• Luke Baley and Bryce Hackett return for the Texans on the mound. Baley led the team in strikeouts and wins, while Hackett had the most innings pitched.
• Tarleton was chosen to finish sixth out of six schools in the WAC.
• Senior outfielder London Green and junior right-handed pitcher Bryce Hackett were named to the Perfect Game USA's preseason All-WAC team. D1Baseball also named the two to its list of top 2022 MLB draft prospects in the WAC.

HISTORY VS. SOUTH DAKOTA STATE

• This will be the first time the Cardinals and Jackrabbits meet.

SCOUTING THE JACKRABBITS

• South Dakota State finished last season 15-32 overall and 9-19 in the Summit League.
• The Jackrabbits are 0-4 on the 2022 season following four losses at Purdue on opening weekend.
• South Dakota State was picked to finish fourth out of seven teams in the Summit League.
• Infielder Luka Ira was named Summit League Player to Watch, while right-hander Nic McCay was selected as Summit League Pitcher to Watch.

 
HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST SEASON

• The Cardinals finished the 2021 season with a 21-28 record and were 17-23 in Southland Conference play.
• Grant Smith led UIW in RBI's with 38 and Ridge Rogers finished the season with a .236 batting average.
• Aaron Celestino and Michael Garza return to the mound for the Cardinals. Celestino had an ERA of 3.81 through 54 innings and Garza finished the season with an ERA of 5.58 through 61 innings.

 
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.