LAKE CHARLES, La. – The University of the Incarnate Word baseball team fell, 12-6, to McNeese State University in the opening round of the Southland Conference Tournament on Thursday night at Joe Miller Ballpark. The Cardinals prepare for Northwestern State University at 1 p.m. CT on Friday. 

The Cowboys scored in the bottom of the first, but an RBI single from Alec Carr, followed by a McNeese error to plate Carr, gave UIW a 2-1 lead in the top of the third inning. McNeese homered with a runner on first to take a 3-2 advantage in the bottom of the inning. 

A sacrifice fly in the fourth and three runs in the fifth gave the Cowboys a 7-2 edge, then a two-RBI home run in the sixth brought the score to 9-2. 

Nixon Brannan was walked to lead off the seventh frame, then Jimmy De Leon singled to right field. The Cowboy pitching staff threw a wild pitch, advancing the Cardinals to second and third base, before Ridge Rogers flied out to center field as Brannan crossed home (9-3). 

In the eighth, Wilson Ehrhardt doubled to left center and Hernan Yanez was walked. De Leon toed the left field line to plate Yanez and Ehrhardt (9-5). 

McNeese tacked on three more runs in the eighth frame (12-5). 

Grant Smith hit a solo homer out to left field in the ninth inning, but the Cowboys took the game, 12-6. 

UP NEXT
The Cardinals face Northwestern State, who lost game 1, in a 1 p.m. matchup on Friday, May 20. The tournament is double elimination, with the winner of Friday's game advancing to play on Saturday.

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.
 

--UIW CARDINALS--