University of Louisville
Memphis *
Cardinal Nine Tames Tigers 12-3
March 15, 2002 | Baseball
March 15, 2002
LOUISVILLE, KY- A grand slam off the bat of sophomore Carlos De la Osa broke open a 1-1 game in the sixth, and vaulted Louisville's baseball team to a 12-3 win over Memphis Friday in the Conference USA opener. The Cardinals (10-3, 1-0) put up six in the sixth and five in the seventh to put away the Tigers(3-9, 0-1) in the first game in a three-game series.
J.T. LaFountain blasted a 3-2 pitch deep to right to lead off the game for the Cards, his second on the year, giving them a 1-0 lead. The Tigers answered in the top of the second with an RBI single by right fielder Josh Payne, evening the score at one.
Cardinal starter Mike Tisdale (2-0) who picked up the win, and Tiger starter Matt Krabbe (0-2) the eventual loser, engaged in a pitching duel until the sixth.
Josh Bolen and Morgan Bojorquez induced back-to-back walks to open the inning, and Mike Budak reached on an error to load the bases for De la Osa, who unloaded the first pitch he saw high into the air in right and into the seats for his first home run of the season. It was his first career grand slam, and the first for U of L since Mike Hook turned the trick last season at UAB on May 6th.
The blast gave the Cards a 5-1 lead. Three more walks loaded the bases for Fernando Isa, who hustled to first on a fielder's choice, avoiding the double play, keeping the inning alive and scoring the Cards' sixth run of the inning.
Memphis designated hitter Jay Fik singled home a run, and later scored on a triple by Payne, cutting the lead to 7-3 in the top of the seventh.
Third baseman Mike Budak singled to lead off the bottom of the seventh and scored when freshman Curt Stewart doubled down the left field line.
Adam Haley was hit by a pitch for the 23rd time in his career, tying the U of L career mark in that category, ironically held by Hook. Dave Williams Jr. singled to load the bases, and LaFountain plated Stewart on a sac fly to center.
Catcher Fernando Isa then smoked a line drive over the fence in right for a three-run home run, and a 12-3 lead. It was Isa's first on the season and also came on the first pitch of the at bat.
Tisdale twirled seven strong innings in the win, allowing three runs on seven hits, while striking out seven. Josh Ring gave up two hits in the final two innings to wrap up the victory.
Krabbe gave up four earned runs on four hits and two walks. He struck out five in the loss. Reliever Nick Steht was touched for four earned runs on four hits and three walks to go with one strikeout in 1.1 innings. Josh Cartwright allowed a run on one hit, while striking out one in the final 1.2 frames.
Both Isa and De la Osa drove in four runs on the afternoon. LaFountain was 2 for 3 with two RBI and a run scored, and is now 6 for 11 with five runs scored, three doubles, two home runs and two walks, since being inserted into the leadoff spot on Tuesday.
Every player that entered the game for the Cards scored a run Friday.
The same two teams will meet on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at Cardinal Stadium for game two of the series. Admission is free.
