University of Louisville
South Florida
Softball Defeats South Florida 4-1
April 15, 2001 | Softball
April 15, 2001
TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Louisville softball team defeated host South Florida 4-1 in Conference USA play Sunday at the USF Softball Complex.
The Cardinals got on the board in the top of the second inning when Nicole Sparks singled, moved to second on Candi Padilla's sacrifice bunt, advanced to third on an error and scored on Val Smith's base hit.
Louisville's winning run came across the plate in the third inning when Coleen Coughlin reached first and moved to second on a two-base South Florida error. Coughlinlin scored on Melissa Jacobo's RBI single to give the Cards a 2-0 lead.
U of L added two more runs in the fifth as Keola Calderon doubled down the left field line to lead off the inning and scored on Jacobo's RBI single. Amber Jolley, pinch-running for Jacobo, moved to third on Sparks' single and crossed the plate on Lisa McMillan's base hit to make the score 4-0.
South Florida averted the shutout in the sixth inning when Shelly Riker singled to lead off the inning and was brought in on Courtney Lewellen's RBI base hit.
Jacobo finished the game hitting two-for-four with two RBI. Sparks also went two-for-four with one run scored.
Louisville starter Tara McClure (16-4) tossed a complete game, allowing one run on nine hits and striking out three. South Florida starting pitcher Jessi Kowal (18-8) took the loss, allowing four runs, two of them earned on seven hits, and striking out three in four innings pitched.
South Florida falls to 32-23 (6-6 C-USA).
The Cardinals (33-15, 8-4 C-USA) will play hot to intra-state rival Kentucky on Wednesday, April 18 at Ulmer Stadium. The first game of the doubleheader is slated for a 5 p.m. start.
