SAN ANTONIO – Four Cardinals from the University of the Incarnate Word baseball team were named to the Pre-Season All-Conference teams. 

Mendoza was named SLC Newcomer of the Year and selected to the ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division I Central All-Region Second Team following the 2023 season. In his first season as a Cardinal, Mendoza made an immediate impact, earning the title of Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year. As the go-to player for UIW all season, he came in clutch with three walk-off homers to help the team to crucial victories and the highest SLC seed in program history at No. 2. He had a season-high three hits against McNeese and five RBIs against Houston Baptist University. Mendoza led the team in runs with 48 and in RBIs with 61 which put him first in the conference and in the UIW season record book. 

Mendoza is joined by Starting Pitcher Isaiah Zavala, First Baseman Cameron Crotte and Utility Grant Randall who were all named to the Pre-Season second team.   

In his senior season Zavala finished with a single-game high of 11 strikeouts against Southern Illinois Edwardsville, totaling a 6-1 record on the season to lead the Cardinals through 52 innings pitched for a 4.10 ERA. 

A Juco transfer, Crotte, quickly found his way into the Cardinals' starting lineup, starting the last 27 games while taking over first base. Crotte's first hit of the season was a walk-off single in a thirteen-inning thriller to jumpstart his season. He had a season-high three hits and three RBIs at Rice. 

Randall was a defensive specialist for the Cardinals, finishing the year with many spectacular plays and a fielding percentage of .933. At the plate, Randall had a season-high three hits at Nicholls and four RBIs at Rice. Randall also made his presence felt on the base paths, leading the Cardinals in stolen bases with 15 on the season. 

After finishing second in the regular season rankings last season the Cardinals were selected to finish fourth in the SLC Preseason Poll.  

UIW kicks off their 2024 season at home on February 16 against Villanova.  

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