University of Louisville
Western Kentucky
Softball Splits With Western Kentucky
March 07, 2001 | Softball
March 7, 2001
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - The University of Louisville split a doubleheader at Western Kentucky winning the first 3-2 but falling in the second 4-2.
The games were the first between the two schools -- doubleheaders at each place were cancelled last season due to poor weather.
The Hilltoppers took a 1-0 lead in the first game's opening inning. Melissa Gomes walked with one out and moved to second when Shanon Searle followed with a single to the left side of the infield. She advanced to third when Palmer flew out to center field for the second out of the frame, then scored on Alan?s' single to center.
After WKU loaded the bases with one out but didn't score in the third, the Cardinals responded by taking a 2-1 lead in the fourth, opening the frame with four consecutive singles-- Nikki Gaudio ended the string with a bases-loaded hit to right field scoring both Kenzie Meisenburg and Keola Calderon. U of L added an insurance run in the fifth when Meisenburg singled with two outs and scored on a Calderon double to left field.
Western cut the deficit to one an inning later after Searle led off with a walk and scored onone-out double to right by Alan?s. But, McClure did not allow a runner past second base in the final two innings to earn her first save of the season.
Mandy Rockwell allowed one run on six hits in 4.0 innings to improve to 4-3 -- she walked one and struck out three. Katie Swertfager (1-2) took the loss for WKU, giving up 10 hits and a walk while matching a season high with six strikeouts.
Calderon, Gaudio and Meisenburg each had two hits to lead the Cardinal offensive attack, while Alan?s, Garcia and Jessie Richardson collected two hits apiece for WKU. Searle's first-inning single extended her hit streak to a career-high-tying seven games, though the streak ended in the nightcap.
In the second game, Giddens allowed just five hits and walked two in hurling a career-high 7.0 innings to improve to 3-1. The senior right-handerstruck out a career-best six -- matching a Hilltopper season high -- to pick up her second victory in as many games. She also reached base in all three plate appearances, with two walks in addition to the fifth-inning hit.
WKU (5-3) scored the first run of the contest without the benefit of a hit in the bottom of the second -- Tara McClure issued four walks in the inning, the last to Angela Dunhour, which platedSara Alan?s. U of L answered with a pair of runs in its half of the third. Christina Soto led off with a single and advanced to secondon a sacrifice bunt by Val Smith. Coleen Coughlin followed one out later with a single to center field to tie the game, then gave the Cardinals a 2-1 advantage when she crossed the plate after a single from Candi Padilla.
Giddens helped her own cause in the fifth with a two-out, bases-clearing three-run double to right center. The Hilltopper comeback started when U of L reliever Jessica Rak walked Cassie Palmer. Alan?s doubled down the left-field line to break up the Cardinals' bid for ano-hitter, putting runners on second and third. Riley Garcia drew a walk to load the basesand keep the rally alive for Giddens, who lined a two-strike pitch for the game-winning hit.
Kristalyn Smith followed with a single to center field, but pinch runner Angie Head was thrown out at the plate on a throw by Coughlin.
Rak, who gave up three earned runs on four hits and five walks, took the loss to drop to4-3, despite fanning seven batters. Cardinal pitchers combined to tie an opponent record, issuing nine walks in the game.
The Toppers stranded a season-high 12 runners on base in the game, including at least onein all but the second inning.Cassie Palmer. Alan?s doubled down the left-field line to break up the Cardinals' bid for a no-hitter, putting runners on second and third. Riley Garcia drew a walk to load the bases and keep the rally alive for Giddens, who lined a two-strike pitch for the game-winning hit.
Kristalyn Smith followed with a single to center field, but pinch runner Angie Head was thrown out at the plate on a throw by Coughlin.
Rak, who gave up three earned runs on four hits and five walks, took the loss to drop to 4-3, despite fanning seven batters. Cardinal pitchers combined to tie an opponent record, issuing nine walks in the game.
By Brian Fremund
