Cardinals Split Opening Two Games Of Southern Illinois Softball Classic
July 21, 2000 | Softball
March 4, 2000
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The University of Louisville softball team defeated Northern Illinois 10-2 and lost to host Southern Illinois 1-0 on Saturday on the first day of the Southern Illinois Softball Classic.
In the first game of the day, the Cards were shut out for the first time of the season in a 1-0 loss to Southern Illinois. Southern Illinois pitcher Carisa Winters went seven innings in the shutout and struck out 10 batters, allowing four hits.
Coleen Coughlin, Candi Padilla, Val Smith and Melissa Jacobo each recorded hits for the Cards. U of L starting pitcher Jessica Rak (5-3) threw a one-hitter and struck out seven, as the Salukis' only run came on Julie Meier's solo home run in the sixth inning.
In the game against Northern Illinois, the Cards capitalized on five Huskie errors to score five unearned runs in the first two innings. Louisville pitcher Mandy Rockwell (2-1) allowed two runs on seven hits and struck out seven in seven innings pitched.
Offensively for Louisville, Keola Calderon went two for five with an RBI and two runs scored, Lisa McMillan went two for four with a run scored and Val Smith went two for three with two runs scored. Kim Hilpp tripled and Melissa Jacobo doubled for the Cards.
"Jessica pitched a great game against Southern Illinois, unfortunately they got one great hit off of her," said U of L head coach Sandy Pearsall. "We finally started hitting the ball in the second game. We need to continue to gain experience and learn with every game."
U of L (11-5) will take on No. 13 Iowa Sunday at 9:00 a.m.
