SAN ANTONIO – Four runs in the sixth inning lifted the University of the Incarnate Word baseball team to an 11-4 victory over Nicholls State University on Friday night at Sullivan Field, sponsored by H-E-B.

Jimmy De Leon went 3-for-4, while Grant Smith tallied four RBIs. De Leon, Smith, Wilson Ehrhardt, Hernan Yanez and Ridge Rogers all notched a home run for the Cardinals.

Nicholls hit a two-RBI homer and jumped to a 3-0 advantage in the top of the first, but Ehrhadt led off the bottom of the inning, belting a home run over the right field wall to cut the Colonel lead to 3-1. 

In the bottom of the second, De Leon hit a solo shot to bring the Cardinals within one (3-2). Roberto Gonzalez led off the bottom of the fourth with a double, then Yanez smacked a homer to left center, giving UIW its first lead of the game (4-3).

In the bottom of the sixth, Alec Carr was walked to bring home Rogers, then Smith cleared the bases with a double off the right field wall to bring the score to 8-3. 

The Colonels sent two home in the top of the seventh, but Yanez tagged out the second runner to keep an 8-4 UIW edge. The Cardinals jumped to a 10-4 cushion after Rogers blasted a two-RBI home run to right field in the bottom of the inning. 

Smith hit a solo homer in the eighth to close out the game with an 11-4 Cardinal victory. 

NO OUTSIDE FOOD & DRINK:
In accordance with university rules and TABC laws, fans are not permitted to bring any outside food or drinks, including alcoholic beverages, into ticketed UIW Athletic events. Containers such as bottles, cans, thermos bottles, ice chests or plastic coolers are also not permitted for the safety and protection of our guests. UIW Athletics offers a wide variety of food and beverages at our on-site concessions stands. 
 
PETS:
For the safety of the student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans, no pets (leashed or unleashed), with the exception of service animals, are allowed at UIW Athletic events. 

UP NEXT 
Game two of the series is set for Saturday, April 23, at 6:30 p.m. CT at Sullivan Field, sponsored by H-E-B. 

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.