ABILENE, Texas (Interstat) — Cris Enriquez launched a three-run homer in the eighth inning to erase a four-run deficit and Drake Anderson delivered a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the 11th as the Incarnate Word Cardinals outlasted the Abilene Christian Wildcats 9-8 in a wild, extra-inning contest Wednesday night at Kimbrell Arena.

The game’s most critical sequence came in the top of the eighth with the Wildcats holding an 8-4 lead. After singles by Tyler Garritano and Anderson, Enriquez stepped in and connected on a towering shot to right field, tying the game with one swing. The designated hitter finished 4 for 5 with the homer, three RBIs and two runs scored, powering a 14-hit Cardinals attack.

Abilene Christian had built its lead with a big third inning, highlighted by a two-run homer from Grant Watkins, and a four-run fifth, where Nick Arias drove in two with a single and Gavin Brzozowski added an RBI double.

Both bullpens locked down the game from there. Incarnate Word relievers Chase Blease, Fawster Voytko, Ashton Perkins and Jordan Bush combined for 5 2/3 perfect innings, striking out seven of the 17 batters they faced. For Abilene Christian, Evan Whiteaker provided 3 2/3 innings of one-hit, one-run relief to keep the game tied into extras.

The Cardinals finally broke through in the 11th. Jake Weaver led off with a double to deep center, was bunted to third by Thomas Lyssy, and scored on Anderson’s sacrifice fly to left-center. Anderson went 3 for 5 with a homer and two RBIs.

Bush then closed it out in the bottom of the 11th, striking out two Wildcats to seal the win.

The victory improved Incarnate Word’s record to 11-9 overall, while Abilene Christian fell to 9-10. The game defied pregame projections from Interstat, which gave the Wildcats a 64.5% probability to win and projected a 6-5 Abilene Christian victory.

The teams split their two-game season series, with Incarnate Word winning 13-1 in San Antonio on March 11.

Incarnate Word starter Brady Coe was effective early, allowing just one hit over three scoreless innings. The Wildcats’ offensive surge came against the Cardinals’ middle relief before the late-game bullpen dominance took hold.

The Cardinals continue their season with a home series against Nicholls State starting Friday. Abilene Christian travels to face New Mexico for a three-game set beginning the same day.