University of Louisville
Eastern Ky
Cardinal Nine Demotes Colonels 7-1
March 27, 2001 | Baseball
March 27, 2001
The Lousville pitching staff tied a Conference USA record with its 13th complete game, as sophomore Mike Eilers went the distance in the Cards 7-1 win over Eastern Kentucky Tuesday at Cardinal Stadium. Tulane set the standard last season.
Eilers(4-1) surrendered just one run on seven hits and three walks, striking out six in his first career complete game.
The Colonels took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when first baseman John Myles took a 3-2 offering from Eilers into the bleachers in right for his first home run of the season.
Louisville answered in the bottom of the frame tying things up 1-1. Catcher Fernando Isa doubled down the left field line, scoring first baseman Morgan Bojorquez, who was hit by a pitch leading off the inning.
After a leadoff single by Isa, right fielder Mark Jurich blasted a 2-0 pitch over the fence in right for his team-leading fifth home run, putting the Cards up 3-1 in the fourth.
In the top of the sixth, Eastern threatened, loading the bases, but Eilers induced a 5-4-3 double play to end the inning. The Cards loaded the bases with two out in the bottom of the sixth, when third baseman Mike Budak's groud ball to third was mishandled by his opposite number, allowing shortstop J.T. LaFountain to score, and padding the Cardinal lead 4-1.
Senior second baseman Matt Jarboe singled to lead off the seventh and scored on a double by left fielder Bill Gatti Jr., and center fielder Dave Williams Jr.who reached on an error, scored on a wild pitch to make it 6-1.
Designated hitter Carlos De la Osa's sacrifice fly to left scored Budak in the eighth for the final margin, 7-1.
EKU starter Scott Santa(2-3) took the loss, giving up four runs-three earned, on four hits and two walks, while striking out four. Reliever Keith Murnane tossed the final two frames, getting touched for three runs, two of which were earned on five hits and a strikeout.
Jurich, Isa and Jarboe each had two hits in the Louisville attack. The pitching staff has complete games in seven of its last eight efforts, including four straight. The team ERA is 1.59 in the last six games.
Louisville will travel to Evansville to take on the Purple Aces Wednesday at 3:00 p.m.
