SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word baseball team scored eight runs in the fifth inning to fuel the 12-5 victory over the Abilene Christian University (ACU) Wildcats on Wednesday afternoon at Sullivan field, sponsored by H-E-B.  

Roberto Gonzalez had a three-hit day through four at bats with two runs while Ridge Rogers finished with three RBIs. Keaton Grady stepped to the plate for the first time and notched his first collegiate hit.  

The Wildcats hit an RBI double to start the game ahead, 1-0.  

UIW had an immediate answer to the early Wildcat run. Alec Carr reached first on an ACU wild pitch and Grant Smith was walked to put runners at first and second base. Hernan Yanez singled to right field to tie the game up, 1-1. Gonzalez stepped to the plate and hit a two-RBI double to left field, then Rogers belted one off the outfield wall to bring home Gonzales and Yanez as the Cardinals jumped ahead, 4-1.  

In the top of the fifth, ACU hit an RBI double to left field as the Wildcats pulled within two (4-2). 

The Cardinals took advantage of the Wildcats, sending 13 to the plate in the bottom of the fifth. The ACU pitching staff struggled to find the strike zone, using four pitchers in the frame while walking three and hitting three others. Smith singled up the middle and Carr scored to give UIW a 5-2 cushion. With the bases loaded, Gonzalez hit a high bouncing ball to the third baseman who had no play as Smith scored and Gonzalez reached first (6-2). Rogers picked up his third RBI of the evening by taking a ball off the shin, allowing Yanez to score and giving UIW a 7-2 edge. Jimmy De Leon scored as Daniel Calabrese recorded his first collegiate RBI to extend the lead to 9-2. Rogers scored on an ACU wild pitch before Warren Laster singled up the middle to score Calabrese and De Leon (12-2). 

A Wildcat home run put two on the board for ACU (12-4) in the top of the sixth, and a double to left center cut UIW's lead to 12-5 as UIW clinched the win.

UP NEXT  
The Cardinals travel to the University of Houston for a three-game series beginning on Friday, March 4, at 6:30 p.m. CT.  

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.