University of Louisville
Ohio
Softball Sweeps Ohio in Home Opener
February 23, 2001 | Softball
Feb. 23, 2001
Louisville, KY --- Second baseman Nicole Sparks went 4-4 with three RBIs to lead Louisville to a sweep of Ohio University at Ulmer Stadium in the season home opener.
The Cardinals won the opener 1-0 and then took the second game 5-0.
"We played errorless ball and had timely hitting, all in all a nice home opener," said Sandy Pearsall, head coach.
Sparks had the game-winning RBI in the first game when she tripled to drive in Candi Padilla in the fourth inning.
"Nicole had that pitcher timed pretty well," said Pearsall. "She almost hit for the cycle. She just needed that elusive homer."
In the second game, Louisville had a five-run third inning to seal the win. Ohio pitcher Heather Hagen had loaded the bases to start the inning. Padilla drew a walk and scored Val Smith. Sparks smacked a two-RBI single, scoring Keola Calderon and Coleen Coughlin. Padilla and Sparks later scored to end the inning.
The Cardinals added a doubleheader with Evansville tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Ulmer.
