SAN ANTONIO (Interstat) — The Incarnate Word Cardinals capitalized on timely hitting and a pair of late home runs to defeat the Illinois-Chicago Flames 8-3 in the season opener for both teams at Roadrunner Field on Friday.

The game, which began in the afternoon and concluded in the evening, saw the Cardinals overcome an early deficit and pull away late to secure the victory.

Illinois-Chicago struck first without a hit in the opening inning. The Flames loaded the bases on a walk and two hit batters, then scored three runs on a walk and a hit batter with the bases loaded against Incarnate Word starter Zac Colletti. The Cardinals escaped further damage with a popout, limiting the early outburst.

Incarnate Word answered immediately in the bottom of the first. After a leadoff single by Tabor, designated hitter DeJesus launched a two-run homer to deep center field, cutting the Flames’ lead to 3-2.

The Cardinals took the lead for good in the fourth inning. DeJesus singled, stole second, and advanced to third on a walk and a single by catcher Colin Cymbalista. Cris Enriquez then delivered a sacrifice fly to right field to tie the game. Trent Rucker followed with another sacrifice fly to center, scoring Weaver to give Incarnate Word a 4-3 advantage.

The game’s momentum shifted decisively in the later innings. After UIC reliever Jake Jakubowski entered in the sixth, Incarnate Word’s Weaver extended the lead with a solo home run down the right field line.

The Flames mounted their most serious threat in the top of the eighth. With two on and two out, Curry doubled down the left field line, driving in two runs to tie the game at 5-5. A wild pitch moved Curry to third, but the rally was abruptly halted when Kampa grounded into an inning-ending double play, one of two double plays grounded into by UIC on the day.

The bottom of the eighth proved to be the most important part of the game, as Incarnate Word responded with immediate force to reclaim control. DeJesus led off with his second home run of the game, a solo shot to left field, to break the tie. After a Weaver single, Cymbalista sealed the victory with a two-run homer to left-center, pushing the Cardinals’ lead to 8-5 and providing the final margin.

UIC managed six hits but struggled to sustain rallies, stranding multiple runners. Incarnate Word finished with eight hits, including three home runs, and executed two sacrifice flies.

Cardinals reliever Emir Encalada earned the win, while Landon Fuller and Zac Colletti provided key innings. Mason Lei took the loss for the Flames.

With the victory, Incarnate Word begins its season 1-0. Illinois-Chicago starts 0-1. The teams are scheduled to continue their series with a doubleheader on Sunday.

Interstat’s ELO system had projected Illinois-Chicago with a 59.10 percent probability to win.