University of Louisville
<B>SOUTHERN MISS</B> *
Cardinal Nine Drops One-Run Decision to Southern Miss
March 22, 2003 | Baseball
March 22, 2003
LOUISVILLE, KY - Southern Miss turned four key double plays, including one in the ninth to secure a 5-4 win over the University of Louisville baseball team Saturday. The 26th-ranked Golden Eagles (17-5, 5-0) have taken the first two games of the weekend series with U of L(12-7, 2-3), and lead Conference USA.
The Golden Eagles picked up a run in the second when DH Adam Smith hit a sun-aided triple to right with two out and Beau Griffin plated him with a single for the 1-0 advantage.
Louisville took the lead in the fifth when they plated three runs on just one hit. Greg Taylor drew a two-out walk, and Dave Williams Jr. was hit by a pitch for the 29th time in his Cardinal career, second all-time.
Second baseman Nick Haley singled up the middle, scoring Taylor, and when USM center fielder Carlos Velasquez mishandled the ball Williams advanced to third. Velasquez then offered a wild throw to third, scoring Williams and placing Haley at third.
Haley then scored on a wild pitch for a 3-1 lead.
Southern Miss quickly regained the lead in the top of the sixth on catcher Brad Willcutt's three-run home run to right, making it 4-3 Golden Eagles.
They then added to the lead on a sac fly by Willcutt in the seventh giving USM a 5-3 advantage.
Mark Jurich, making just his second start since returning from hand surgery, drilled a sharp double down the left field line to lead off the Cardinal half of the seventh, and scored on a single by Taylor, cutting the lead to 5-4.
Louisville managed just five hits on the game, allowing 10 by Southern Miss.
Scott Barber (5-1) lost for the first time on the season, allowing five runs on ten hits and a walk in seven innings of work. He struck out four.
Carlos Fernandez put the side down in order in the eighth and ninth for the Cards.
Southern Miss starter Bob McCrory (5-0) earned the victory, tossing seven innings and giving up four runs, two of which were earned on four hits and three walks, while striking out four.
Noah Tritz picked up his first save walking two, striking out one and allowing a hit in two innings of relief.
Willcutt drove in four of the five Golden Eagle runs.
The same two teams will meet on Sunday at 1:00 p.m..
Admission and parking, when entering at gate four, is free for all games at Cardinal Stadium and radio broadcasts can be heard on WAVG 1450 AM.
