SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word baseball team was swept by conference-leading McNeese University at Sullivan Field, sponsored by H-E-B. Despite the sweep, Rey Mendoza was the weekend highlight, breaking the record for most home runs in a career since turning DI in program history. Mendoza tied the record on Friday and broke the record in the ninth on Saturday. For good measure, Mendoza also hit a homer on Sunday to add to his total.
Game 1: MCN 11, UIW 6
The Cowboys scored two on a single through the left side in the third to take a 2-0 lead.
After a scoreless fourth, the Cardinals drove in three in the fifth to take a 3-2 lead. Kegan Magee got the scoring started on a laser over the left field wall on his first homer as a Cardinal. Thomas Lyssy and Rob Liddington Jr. singled in runs later in the inning to take a one-run lead into the sixth.
McNeese scored two in the sixth to retake the lead, 4-3.
The Cardinal bullpen gave up two runs in the eighth and five in the ninth to extend the lead.
Down 6-3 in the eighth, Gray Bane singled up the middle to bring the score to 6-4. Mendoza's 24th career home run came in the ninth to bring the final score to 11-6.
Game 2: MCN 8, UIW 1
UIW entered the eighth down 8-0 when Mendoza entered the batter's box. On the first pitch of the at-bat, he ambushed a fastball and sent it well over the outfield netting to set the new home run record.
In the ninth, AJ Herrera accomplished a very different milestone. In his first collegiate at-bat, Hererra recorded a single.
Game 3: MCN 14, UIW 7
In the top of the first, the Cowboys used a triple and an RBI groundout to take a 1-0 lead. Later in the inning, Liddington tripled down the right field line, and Mendoza drove him in on a groundout to second to tie the game at 1-1.
The Cardinals scored an unearned run in the second to take a 2-1 lead heading into the third.
Mendoza singled in a run in the third to extend the Cardinal lead to 3-1.
UIW hung four runs in the fourth to take a commanding 7-1 lead entering the fifth. Lyssy got the scoring started with an RBI single to left center. Mendoza's 25th career home run was a no-doubter to give the Cardinals a 7-1 lead.
The Cowboys scored 13 unanswered runs to bring the final score to 14-7.
UIW will visit Abilene Christian University this Tuesday for a midweek matchup. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
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