University of Louisville
Evansville
Baseball Drops Midweek Game To Evansville
March 28, 2001 | Baseball
March 28, 2001
Evansville pitching limited Louisville batters to a single run on four hits in a 5-1 victory over the Cardinals in baseball action Wednesday. Three pitchers combined to shut down the Cards(18-14, 3-3) offense lead by junior starter Preston Larrison(4-0) who was 2-0 against U of L last season.
Senior center fielder Mike Hook, back in the lineup for the first time in nine games, made his presence felt in the first inning as he drew a leadoff walk, stole second, and eventually scored on a groundout by left fielder Bill Gatti Jr., giving the Cards a 1-0 lead.
Evansville(13-6) answered in the bottom of the first when Hook's opposite number Joey Vandever also walked and stole second, scoring on a single by shortstop Wes Carroll, evening the score 1-1.
The Aces broke the tie in the fifth on a two-out, two-run double to center by Vandever that gave UE a 3-1 lead, and a solo home run by left fielder Wes Davis with two down in the sixth upped the margin to 4-1.
Vandever robbed Cards right fielder Mark Jurich of a home run to left center reaching over the wall to make a catch in the seventh.
Louisville starter Chase Cruse (1-1) took the loss in his second career start and struck out a season high 11 batters in just five innings of work, surrendering three runs on only four hits and three walks. At one point Cruse laid down six consecutive Aces by way of the punch out. Sophomore Carlos Fernandez pitched the final three frames, giving up two runs on three hits and a walk, striking out three.
Larrison tossed seven innings giving up one run on four hits and a walk while striking out seven and picking up the win.
Hook walked twice, scored a run and picked up his 20th steal of the season, becoming the only player in Louisville history with 20 or more stolen bases in three different seasons. His 20 this season ties him for the sixth best single season. His 29 last year and 25 in 1999 are the second and third best single season efforts respectively.
Louisville will host Southern Miss in Conference USA action for a three-game series over the weekend beginning Friday at 6:00 p.m. at Cardinal Stadium.
