- Box Score
STEPHENVILLE – The Tarleton baseball team stormed back from a 9-1 deficit, but came up just short in their comeback attempt, dropping a 9-6 final to the 16th-ranked Cardinals.
The Cardinals got things started quickly with a lead-off home run by Derrick Walls in the first at-bat of the game. UIW threatened further when they singled on the next batter, but the Texans turned a crucial double-play that helped them escape the inning with any further damage.
Unfortunately, the Cardinals' run didn't stop there as they added two more to their tally in the second inning, extending their lead to 3-0.
Tarleton was able to get their lone run on the board in the bottom of the second when second baseman Landon McCall roped a single to right field, plating catcher Andrew Kapple. Centerfielder Tim Rainey attempted to score from second on the play, but was thrown at the plate.
UIW scored two runs in the third, a single run in the fifth, two more in the sixth, and another in the eighth to take a commanding 9-1 lead.
The game seemed all but lost for the Texans, but leftfielder Ethan Stuckly stroked a double to left center, driving in three runs for Tarleton.
Down 9-4 heading into the ninth inning, the Texans had the momentum in their favor despite the large deficit.
McCall started off the inning getting hit by a pitch. Travis Hayes came up next and reached on an error by the Cardinals that resulted in runners on second and third. Next, substitute leftfielder Heath Petty drove in McCall with a sacrifice fly to left field. Mark Jeffery followed that up with an RBI single, pulling Tarleton to within three runs of the Cardinals.
But the Texans luck ran out, as Incarnate Word's initial lead proved to be too much to overcome. UIW defeated Tarleton 9-6.
Starter Nathan Lewis (0-1) suffered the loss for the Texans, after giving up six runs on 12 hits in 4 1/3 innings. Tanner Ross pitched well out of the bullpen for Tarleton tossing 1 2/3 no-hit, shut out innings to help the Texans stay within distance of the Cardinals.
Stuckly had a stellar day, going 3-for-4, with three RBI's, while Hayes, Petty and Jeffery provided the other RBI's. Rainey also had a multi-hit game for Tarleton, going 2-for-4 from the plate.
Derrick Walls led Incarnate Word with a 3-for-5 outing, including a solo home run and two runs scored. Daniel Qualls and Mike De la Rosa both drove in a pair for the Cardinals.
Kirk Jewasko (2-0) picked up the win for UIW, tossing six innings, giving up one run on six hits while striking out seven.
Head coach Bryan Conger expressed his disappointment that the Texans' comeback attempt fell short.
"I thought Incarnate Word did a good job of hitting our mistakes on the mound and they made us pay for it," said Conger. "That was the difference in the game."
Conger also spoke about his team's effort despite the deficit.
"I told our guys to just continue to go up there and have a quality at bat," said Conger. "It's never over until it's over. We had some opportunities, but just didn't get it done."
The Texans play two more games against the Cardinals on Saturday, with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. for game one of a double header. The games will take place at Cecil Ballow Baseball Complex in Stephenville. Senior Miguel Ramirez, the reigning LSC Pitcher of the Week, will be Tarleton's starter in game one.
