University of Louisville
Northern Iowa<br>(Cardinal Spring Tournament)
Softball loses to Northern Iowa 7-5
March 02, 2002 | Softball
March 2, 2002
LOUISVILLE, Ky.-- The University of Louisville softball team surrendered a 5-0 lead, falling victim to a grand slam and four fielding miscues in their 7-5 loss to Northern Iowa Saturday at Ulmer Stadium.
The Cards started the scoring in the bottom of the second inning when Melissa Jacobo led off with a double, moved to second when Nicole Sparks grounded out and scored on Lisa Estes' single to make the score 1-0.
U of L put up a four-spot in the third inning. Sara Bausher and Kenzie Meisenburg drew walks to put runners on first and second. Keola Calderon's single scored Bausher to give Louisville a 2-0 lead. Jacobo's three-run homer made the score 5-0.
Louisville starting pitcher Jessica had a no-hitter going until the top of the fifth. In midst of a downpour, Northern Iowa's Erin Strellner reached on a walk, Lindsey Gielman was hit by a pitch and Claudia Sandoval's single set up Lindsay Wood's grand slam and pulled the Panther's within one, making the score 5-4.
Northern Iowa capitalized on four Louisville errors to take a 7-5 lead in the top of the sixth. UNI starter Malinda McClintock (6-1) allowed five earned runs on five hits and struck out six in seven innings. The Panthers improve to 11-3.
Louisville reliever Kelly Blois (0-1) took the loss, allowing three runs, none earned, on one hit in one inning pitched. Rak allowed four earned runs on three hits and struck out three in five innings. Krystle Herold entered the game in the seventh inning and retired all three batters she faced.
Offensively, Jacobo finished the game batting two-for-two with a home run and a double, two runs scored and three RBI. Calderon went two-for-three, drove in one and scored a run.
U of L (5-9) will play Kent State at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday.
NORTHERN IOWA 7 4 2LOUISVILLE 5 5 4
