University of Louisville
Cleveland State
Cardinal Nine Wins 6-5 with Run in the Ninth
March 13, 2002 | Baseball
March 13, 2002
LOUISVILLE, KY- A sacrifice fly to left by third baseman Mike Budak in the bottom of the ninth scored Josh Bolen from third, and plated the winning run in Louisville's 6-5 comebcak win over Cleveland State Wednesday. The win completes a two-game sweep of the Vikings.
Cleveland State (0-11) took a 2-0 lead in the second on a home run to right by DH Jeff Katlen. Center fielder Ernest Simpson homered in the third with two on, putting CSU ahead 5-0.
The Cards finally got on the board in the fifth. Dave Williams Jr. walked to lead off the frame and scored on a double down the right field line by J.T. LaFountain.
LaFountain then scored on a single by Fernando Isa. After a double play cleared the bases, junior Morgan Bojorquez homered to right, his fourth of the season making it 5-3 CSU.
Back-to-back walks leading off the seventh put runners on for LaFountain, who again doubled down the line and pulled the Cards to within one. A ground out by Isa then evened the score 5-5.
In the ninth, with one out and battling an 0 for 10 slide, junior Josh Bolen reached on a bunt single, stole second and advanced to third when shortstop Ben Smith mishandled a pop-up off the bat of Bojorquez.
That set up the at-bat for Budak with runners at the corners and one out, and he drove the first pitch in the air to left for the sacrifice fly, scoring the game winner.
Senior Grant Williams (1-0) picked up his first collegiate win, giving up a single and striking out one in two scoreless innings. He tossed a perfect ninth on just six pitches.
Garrett Estabrook started and gave up two hits and struck out one, throwing just one inning. Willie McKenzie was touched for five runs on six hits in two frames, striking out two.
Clif Novak threw two scoreless, with a walk and a strikeout, while Scott Barber and Mike Eilers, each had an inning of work, allowing just a hit and walk between them.
CSU reliever Eric Zizelman (0-3) surrendered the game winner, and unearned run, on two hits in 3.2 innings, striking out three.
Starter Jerry Long gave up five runs on six hits and seven walks in five innings. He struck out four.
LaFountain and Isa each drove in a pair of runs and had two hits, while Williams Jr. scored two runs.
Louisville will open Conference USA play Friday at Cardinal Stadium when they host Memphis for a three-game set.
Game times are Friday at 3:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 1:00 p.m., admission is free.
