University of Louisville
Northern Iowa<BR>(Liberty Metrodome Classic)
Softball Beats Northern Iowa 4-2
February 10, 2001 | Softball
Feb. 10, 2001
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Keola Calderon's two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning proved to be the game-winner as U of L defeated Northern Iowa 4-2 in the first game of the championship bracket in the Metrodome Softball Classic.
The Cardinals got on the board in the bottom of the third inning when Kenzie Meisenburg led off with a double to left field, moved to third on Calderon's single to right field and scored on Candi Padilla's single to center to give U of L a 1-0 lead.
The Panthers responded in the top of the fourth inning when pitcher Cara Graver scored on a passed ball to tie the game at 1-0.
Northern Iowa (0-5) pulled ahead 2-1 in the top of the sixth inning when designated player Allison Taverner was hit by a pitch to get on base. Graver, a pinch-runner for Taverner, moved to second on a passed ball, stole third and scored on a double steal.
Down 2-1 in the bottom of the seventh inning, Louisville's Val Smith led off with an infield single, moved to second on Coleen Coughlin's sacrifice bunt, advanced to third on Kenzie Meisenburg's single to right field and scored on a Panther error to tie the game at 2-2. With one out, Calderon hit her first career home run which also brought in Meisenburg, giving Louisville the 4-2 win. Calderon finished the game batting four for four with two RBI and a run scored.
Louisville pitcher Jessica Rak (2-0) allowed two unearned runs on three hits and struck out eight.
"We need to be up for every team we play," said Louisville head coach Sandy Pearsall. "We never should have been in that position in the bottom of the seventh inning, but it was good to see that we were able to perform with our backs against the wall."
The Cardinals (4-1) will take on the winner of a matchup between Minnesota and Western Illinois on Saturday at 8 p.m. EST in the semi-finals of the tournament.
Linescore: R H ENORTHERN IOWA 2 3 1LOUISVILLE 4 8 1
