No. 10 Southern Mississippi Sweeps Cardinals In Softball
July 24, 2000 | Softball
April 1, 2000
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Southern Miss pitcher Courtney Blades threw a no-hitter and then came in and got a save in the second game as the University of Louisville softball team was swept 1-0 and 3-1.
Blades boosted her record to 25-5 as she helped the 10th-ranked team in the country to a 33-9 record. The Cardinals fall to 24-13 and 3-2 in conference play.
"Blades was National Pitcher of the Week last week, said head coach Sandy Pearsall. "We knew we'd have a bit of trouble hitting her, however, our defense was excellent and our pitcher, Tara McClure, had a great outing." McClure allowed seven hits and just one run, striking out four and walking no one.
In the second game, Louisville fell behind 3-0 but scored in the fifth when Nicole Sparks hit a double to score Candi Padilla. The Cardinals chased starter Felicia Gonzales and Blades had to come in to quell the Cardinal rally. Gonzales notched the win with Blades picking up her second save of the year. Louisville's Jessica Rak was tagged with the loss. Louisville had five hits including Coleen Coughlin's double.
The Cardinals play a single game Sunday against the Golden Eagles at noon at Ulmer Stadium.
