Softball Upsets No. 24 Missouri 8-2
July 21, 2000 | Softball
February 11, 2000
MINNEAPOLIS - The University of Louisville softball team got its first win over a top 25 team when they defeated the No. 24 ranked Missouri Tigers 8-2 in the Metrodome Softball Classic on Friday.
The Cardinals took an early lead in the second inning when designated player Amy Pickering singled to start the inning, advanced to third on a double by first baseman/outfielder Keola Calderon and scored on pitcher Mandy Rockwell's fielder's choice. Calderon then scored on shortstop Val Smith's base hit and put the Cards up 2-0.
The Tigers' designated player Linda Swarts scored in the bottom of the second on a bases loaded walk to bring Missouri within one.
U of L put up a two-spot in the fourth inning when Smith led off with a walk. She advanced to second on catcher Lisa McMillan's sacrifice bunt and scored the game-winning run on second baseman Nicole Sparks' single to left field. Sparks moved to second on a throwing error and added an insurance run on outfielder Candi Padilla's double.
Louisville's offense continued in the fifth inning as Calderon hit her second double and scored her second run of the game on Smith's single to left field.
Missouri added another run in the bottom of the fifth when the bases were loaded and Dara Throneburg was hit by a pitch, allowing Christy Skouby to cross the plate and make the score 5-2 in favor of Louisville.
Pickering made Louisville softball history by hitting the program's first home run, and brought in three more runs in the top of the sixth. Louisville held on for a final score of 8-2.
Offensively, the Cards had 13 hits in the game, Pickering went three for four with a double and a three run homer and Calderon went three for four with two doubles.
Louisville's Jessica Rak picked up her second win after pitching six innings and allowing one run on three hits. She struck out six.
"We are extremely excited to get a win over a top 25 team our first week out," said Louisville head coach Sandy Pearsall. "We were much more relaxed today and made some great defensive plays. Offensively, we attacked the ball and did not sit back. Overall, we played well and I'm proud of our effort."
Louisville (2-1) will face Northern Iowa at 9:00 a.m. and Minnesota at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.
