HOUSTON, Texas – The Huskies claim the series opener against UIW at Husky Field, 4-2. HCU held the Cardinals to three hits and two runs in game one, all coming in the final frame. Parker Edwards pitched eight scoreless innings including seven shutout frames with five strikeouts. The graduate senior also led HCU offensively, being the only Husky with a multi-hit game including a home run.  

After two shutout innings by both teams, the Huskies struck first in the bottom of the third inning starting with a lead-off single up the middle by Ty Hodge on the first pitch of the frame. Hodge advanced to scoring position with a single through the left side by Edwards to put runners on first and second. A walk by Josh Prinner loaded the bases with no outs. A sacrifice fly by Trevor Roper scored Hodge and advanced Edwards and Prinner into scoring position before a strikeout by Samuel Benjamin ended the inning with the Huskies grabbing a slim, 1-0, lead. After a shutout inning by both programs in the fourth inning, HCU extended their lead with an Edwards solo-shot to left center field to give the Huskies a two-run advantage. HCU increased their lead in the bottom of the seventh inning when Hodge drew a lead-off walk before stealing second. After back-to-back strikeouts, Trent Baker doubled to left center scoring Hodge and widening the Husky' lead to three runs. Holding the three run lead heading into the bottom of the eighth inning, the Huskies started with Benjamin strikeout swinging but reached on a wild pitch. After Benjamin stole second, William Jewell walked before Luke Bard laid down the squeeze sacrifice bunt scoring Benjamin and giving the Huskies a, 4-0, advantage. The Cardinals earned their first base runner in the top of the eighth inning when Edwards tossed a lead-off walk to Rey Mendoza. UIW's first hit of the game came two batters later when Daniel Calabrese doubled down the left field line but Benjamin gunned down Mendoza sliding into third base for the second out before Edwards retired the final batter of the frame. With the potential perfect game now voided, Jarek Wells took the mound for the ninth inning. After dealing a five-pitch walk and hitting the second batter of the frame, Christian Diaz relieved Wells to retire the side to give the Huskies the series opener, 4-2, and a one-game series lead.

The Huskies (17-30, 8-14 SLC) were led by Edwards going 2-for-3 with a home run and a single. Hodge went 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs while Jewell went 1-for-2 with two walks. Edwards (5-5) tossed eight one-hit scoreless innings to start the game allowing one hit with a walk and fanning five batters. Christian Diaz (SV: 2) earned his second save of the season pitching the final frame giving up two hits with a walk and a strikeout.

The Cardinals (24-28, 9-13 SLC) were held to just three hits led by Calabrese going 1-for-4 with a double. Grant Randall went 1-for-4 with an RBI while Dalton Beck went 1-for-4 with a single. Josh Salinas (5-3) was tagged with the loss pitching six innings to start the game, allowing two earned runs on five hits with two walks and eight strikeouts. Adam Byrd tossed 1.1 innings of relief giving up two runs, one earned run, on one hit with two walks and three strikeouts. Luis Rodriguez pitched the final two outs of the game with a strikeout.

The Huskies will continue the three-game series with game two on Friday at Husky Field at 2 p.m. Broadcast for game two will be streamed live on ESPN+ and live stats are available at HCUHuskies.com!