2016 Record: 13-38
2016 Southland Conference Record: 5-22
Like fellow Southland Conference foe Abilene Christian, the Incarnate Word Cardinals are in the final year of their transition to Division 1 status and are ineligible for postseason play in 2017.
The Cardinals have scheduled aggressively, however, with a slate that head coach Danny Heep has described as "long, hard and dangerous." In addition to a full Southland Conference schedule, the team will participate in the Irish Alamo Invitational, where they will face Saint Louis, Lafayette College, and Notre Dame, and will travel for mid-week games with Texas, Houston, and Texas A&M. The Cardinals also have non-conference series set with Central Michigan, Omaha, and Utah Valley.
The 2016 Cardinals manged only 13 victories, but employed a host of young talent that returns for the 2017 campaign. On the mound, the Cardinals return their Friday and Saturday starters from 2016, Bernie Martinez and John Shull. Closer Lance Moskowicz also returns and looks to provide a steady presence in the bullpen. On the diamond, the club returns its double play combination in Bryce Shepherd and Ryan Gonzalez, along with starting left fielder Eddy Gonzelez. In addition, the Cardinals brought in a strong freshman class that should have an opportunity to make an immediate impact in San Antonio.
While the schedule will certainly provide a challenge, the Cardinals look for their young roster to mature in 2017 as they continue to build toward postseason eligibility in 2018.
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