Preview: Incarnate Word Cardinals at Baylor Bears

WACO, Texas (Interstat) — Two teams with identical records and recent struggles will meet Tuesday night when the Baylor Bears host the Incarnate Word Cardinals in nonconference baseball action at Baylor Ballpark.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. under clear skies with a game-time temperature of 77 degrees.

Both teams enter at 12-11 overall. The Cardinals are looking to rebound after dropping their weekend series to Nicholls State two games to one, including a 6-2 loss on Sunday. The Bears also lost a weekend series, falling twice in three games at Oklahoma State. They were routed 13-6 in the finale.

A key player to watch for Incarnate Word is reliever Rand Green. The right-hander has been effective in four of his last five outings, including two scoreless innings with one hit allowed against Nicholls State on Sunday. However, he allowed four earned runs while recording just one out against Abilene Christian on March 18.

Baylor will counter with reliever Cade Hansen, who has experienced volatility this season. After a rough stretch in early March, Hansen provided 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief in Sunday’s loss at Oklahoma State.

In Sunday’s defeat, Incarnate Word’s Tyler Garritano provided the primary offense with a two-run homer. For Baylor in its last game, shortstop Travis Sanders hit a two-run home run and right fielder Brady Janusek went 3 for 5 with an RBI.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the projected final score is Incarnate Word 7, Baylor 5.

This game serves as a final tune-up before both teams begin their next conference series. Incarnate Word travels to Lamar for a three-game set starting Friday. Baylor opens a Big 12 series at Houston on Friday.