SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Privateers were within striking distance until a big eighth inning by the University of the Incarnate Word (17-10, 6-4 Southland) sealed the victory for the Cardinals 15-7 over the University of New Orleans (14-11, 3-7 Southland) Friday evening at Sullivan Field sponsored by H-E-B.
Gaige Howard went 4-for-5 with two RBI to pace a 15-hit night for UNO.
HOW IT HAPPENED
UNO was hot from the start as a
Collin Morrill leadoff single was rewarded by
Darren Willis' first career home run. The first pitch seen by the shortstop cleared the left field fence to put UNO in front 2-0.
Following the two-run blast,
Pearce Howard and
Luther Woullard followed with a double and sharp single off the third baseman, respectively, but Michael Garza limited the damage at the two runs.
The Cardinals took a 3-2 lead in the second on one base hit as UIW was patient at the plate, drawing two walks and two hit by pitches.
Michael Garza tossed 2.0 innings for UIW, settling down after allowing four consecutive hits to begin the ballgame.
Salo Iza recorded an infield single in the second and Garza came out after the two runs.
Brandon Mitchell went 1.1 and all three runs were charged to the left-hander. Mitchell faced nine hitters and did not allow a hit.
Luke Taggart, typically the UIW Friday evening starter, was summoned from the bullpen with one out in the third after Michael McElmeel induced a grounder to the lone batter he faced.
After getting his first hitter to fly out, Taggart had to get himself out of trouble after a
Gaige Howard single and
Tresten Kennard's double down the line. The right-hander was able to escape the inning without a run.
Barr tossed a scoreless third for his second inning of work.
Brayden Morrow legged out the third infield single for UNO and Iza followed with a laser to center to begin the fourth. Morrow came around to score on Taggart's wild pitch to tie the game at 3-3.
Moments later,
Pearce Howard cleared the outfield netting and one-hopped a long ball into the right field trees to regain the lead for New Orleans, 5-3.
UIW drove a ball deep into center field but Woullard made a nice grab against the wall to end the fourth unscathed, preserving the UNO two-run lead.
Gaige Howard extended the lead to begin the fifth with an opposite field solo shot to begin the frame.
The Cardinals scored five in the fifth to take an 8-6 lead. Prior to the series, the outfield grass was a topic of discussion and it allowed UIW to add a run in the fifth as a ball went the opposite direction to give the Word a triple.
Taggart's final inning was the best for UIW tonight as the right-hander concluding his evening with the first 1-2-3 frame for the Cards.
The Cardinals took a two-run lead into the final two innings as closer Bernie Martinez entered the game for a six-out save. Entering Friday, Martinez was 5-0 with a 1.32 ERA.
In the eighth, UIW tacked on six runs to make it 15-7 and take the series opener by that score.
WIN-LOSS RECORD
John Barr (2-3) was charged with the loss after allowing four runs in 3.0 innings. Taggart (4-3) picked up the victory despite UNO getting to the right-hander. Taggart allowed five runs and nine hits in 4.2 innings. Martinez earned his third save of the season.
INSIDE THE BOX
Morrill went 2-for-4 with two runs from the leadoff spot, Willis drove home two and scored twice and
Pearce Howard finished 2-for-4 with two RBI. Kennard and Iza rounded out the multi-hit performers for the Privateers.
NEXT UP
The Privateers and Cardinals resume the series tomorrow at 2 p.m.
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