University of Louisville
Houston
Softball Splits With Houston
March 24, 2001 | Softball
March 24, 2001
HOUSTON, Texas - The University of Louisville softball team opened up Conference USA play by splitting a doubleheader at the University of Houston. The Cougars won the first game 5-4 and Louisville took the second game 4-0.
In the first game of the doubleheader, the Cougars broke a scoreless time in the bottom of the third when Tiffany Rayburn reached first on a fielder's choice, moved to second when Lindsay Durham grounded out, advanced to third on Riane Netardus's infield single and scored on Leslie Seay's single. Netardus scored on Ali McDougal's single to give Houston a 2-0 lead.
The Cougars added to their lead in the fourth inning as they capitalized on five hits to put up a three-spot, making the score 5-0.
Louisville put a run on the board in the top of the fifth inning when Val Smith drew a walk to reach first, advanced to third on a Houston error and scored on Kenzie Meisenburg's single to make the score 5-1.
The Cards added two more runs in the sixth inning. Melissa Jacobo led off with a double and Blaire Nall entered the game as a pinch runner. Nall advanced to third on Nicole Sparks' single and scored when Coleen Coughlin reached on a Houston error. Sparks crossed the plate when Kenzie Meisenburg reached on another Cougar miscue to bring Louisville within two.
In the top of the seventh inning, Candi Padilla was hit by a pitch, moved to second when Melissa Jacobo reached on a Cougar error and scored on Sparks' double to make the score 5-4. The Cards threatened with runners at second and third, but could not tie the game.
Offensively for the Cards, Sparks went three-for-four with a double, a run scored and one RBI.
Louisville starter Tara McClure (7-3) took the loss, allowing five runs on eight hits and striking out two in 3.1innings pitched. Houston's Jamie Falco (5-7) got the win, allowing four unearned runs on seven hits and striking out four.
"Houston's pitcher shut down our offense," said Louisville head coach Sandy Pearsall. "And we didn't have the pitching we needed to balance that out."
R H ELouisville 4 7 0Houston 5 12 5
In the second game, the Cardinals scored two runs in the third inning when Coughlin reached on an infield single. She stole second and scored on Meisenburg's base hit. Meisenburg stole second and scored when Jacobo doubled to give Louisville a 2-0 lead.
U of L added two insurance runs in the seventh when Coughlin reached first with a base hit to left center. A Houston error allowed Meisenburg to reach first and moved Coughlin to third. Coughlin scored on Jacobo's single and Meisenburg crossed the plate on Keola Calderon's single to give Louisville the 4-0 lead.
Offensively, the Cards were led by Jacobo, who went three-for-four with a double and three RBI. Calderon also went three-for-four with one RBI.
Louisville starter Jessica Rak (9-5) notched her fifth shutout of the season, scattering four hits over seven innings and striking out four.
"In the second game, we had very strong defensive play from our shortstop, Val Smith," said Pearsall. "Our hitting came around, and we were able to score the runs when we needed them."
The Cardinals (21-11, 1-1) and Houston (12-20, 1-1) will conclude the three-game set on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
R H ELouisville 4 11 1Houston 0 4 3
