The Cardinals picked up some clutch hits and made some big pitches in route to a 4-3 victory on Tuesday at Clyde Smith Field. 

 Facing undefeated Granada and their Arizona State bound lefty Josh Morano, Newman fell behind 1-0 early and had no hits the first time through the order.  Morano retired the first 8 batters he faced, striking out 3.  Then number 9 hitter Cameron Palmer hit a slow roller to third and hustled down the line forcing a low throw and reaching when the first baseman could not come up with the ball.  Then Anane Wilson drew a walk, bringing up left handed batter Nate Niehaus with two on and two outs.  Niehaus delivered a line drive into the left center field gap, clearing the bases for a triple - the first hit of the day for CN, which put the Cardinals on top 2-1.  Next up was Jack Lazark and he singled up the middle scoring Niehaus for a 3-1 lead after 3 innings.

Granada would come right back with a rally in the 4th.  Starting pitcher Tanner Bradley would give up 3 straight hits, but Nate Niehaus in right field, would come up big on defense throwing behind Ben Johnson, who took a big turn at first and Landon Rota covering first on the play tagged him out.  One run scored but Granada would not be able to get the tying run across as Bradley came up big with a strikeout and ground out  to end the inning hanging on to a one run lead. 

In the 5th, Coach Derek Debenedetti would go to RHP Jack Larson in relief.  With runners on first and third and 1 out, Larson induced a grounder to second and the Cardinals almost turned two but the batter beat the throw to first and the tying run came across for the Matadors.   

The Cardinals would come right back and retake the lead in the bottom half. Cameron Palmer went oppo for a double down the line with one out.  Then with two outs Niehaus came to the plate again to face Moreno.   Granada taking note of Niehaus going the opposite way for a triple in his last at bat, tried to come in on his hands and he turned on a fast ball, lacing it to the wall in right field for another triple and his 3rd RBI on the day. 

Up 4-3, Larson would pitch a scoreless 6th and lefty Mason Lerma would come on to pitch a 1-2-3  7th for his first save of the year after starting the first two games and picking up the wins.

"it was a quality win against a good opponent.  Nice to get tested, which is what the preseason should be all about.  Tanner pitched really well as a starter and Larson looked more like he did last year," Said coach Debenedetti after the win. "Timely hitting was key to the win with Palmer and Niehaus coming up big."

Newman is now 3-0 on the year and is scheduled to play Heritage next on Saturday, which may get rained out.