THIBODAUX, La. – The University of the Incarnate Word baseball team defeated Nicholls, 8-3, Saturday to hand the Cardinals the 2-1 series win.  UIW has now defeated Nicholls, Southeastern Louisiana, and Houston Christian University to sit at second place in the Southland Conference standings. 

Hernan Yanez and Jimmy De Leon led the Cardinals in hits with three each. Rey Mendoza led the Cardinals in RBIs driving in four in the win. On the mound, Isaiah Zavala and Micah Berens combined to allow just six hits and three earned runs while striking out six batters.  

Alec Carr got things started early on a solo home run in the top of the first to give the Cardinals the early 1-0 lead.  

After three scoreless innings, the Colonels tied the game up at 1-1 on an RBI single up the middle. 

The Cardinals retook the lead in the top of the sixth on a throwing error, bringing the score to 2-1. Later in the inning, Nicholls tied the game up on a solo home run over the left field wall.  

In the following inning, Mendoza crushed a three-run home run on the first pitch he saw to break the tie and give UIW a 5-2 lead.  

After a scoreless eighth, the Cardinals drove in three runs in the top of the ninth to extend their lead to 8-2. Mendoza picked up his fourth RBI of the game on a single to right field. De Leon singled home a run, and Mendoza later scored on a bases-loaded walk. Later in the inning, the Colonels singled in a run to bring the final score to 8-3. 

FOLLOW ALONG 
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--UIW CARDINALS--