University of Louisville
East Carolina
Softball Sweeps East Carolina Doubleheader
March 22, 2003 | Softball
March 22, 2003
GREENVILLE, N.C. - - The University of Louisville softball team swept East Carolina 3-0 and 8-0 in a Conference USA doubleheader Saturday at East Carolina.
In the first game, the teams battled through five scoreless innings before the Cardinals put a run on the board in the sixth. Michelle Vasquez singled, moved to second on Shannon Nord's groundout and scored on a double by Nicole Sparks to make it a 1-0 game.
Louisville added two more runs in the seventh when Keola Calderon doubled and moved to third on Lisa McMillan's base hit. Aja Sherman's double scored Calderon and Kacey Yourous who was pinch running for McMillan to give the Cards the 3-0 lead.
U of L starter Jessica Rak (6-4) picked up the win, allowing three hits and striking out five in the complete game shutout. Offensively, the Cards had eight hits in the game. Nord and Vasquez each went 2-for-3.
East Carolina starter Maggie Lingo (3-6) took the loss, allowing three earned runs on eight hits and striking out two in seven innings.
In the nightcap, Louisville jumped to a 3-0 lead in the first when Nord led off with a single, stole second and scored a two-run homer by Lisa Estes. Sara Bausher singled, stole second and crossed the plate on a McMillan's hit to make it a 3-0 game.
The Cards added put up a four-spot in the second when Vasquez reached on a fielder's choice and moved to second on Nord's hit. Sparks' infield single loaded the bases. Vasquez came home when Estes drew a walk to make it a 4-0 game. Nord scored when Bausher was hit by a pitch. Keola Calderon's two-run single brought Sparks and Estes home to give the Cards a 7-0 lead.
Louisville added its last run in the top of the fifth when Aja Sherman doubled and scored on a double by Vasquez for the 8-0 game.
Sherman (4-2), U of L's starting pitcher, got the win allowing three hits shutting the Pirates out in four innings. The Cards finished the game with 11 hits. Sherman was 3-for-3 with a double and a run scored. Nord was 2-for-4 in the game with two runs and a stolen base.
"We came to play today," said U of L head coach Sandy Pearsall. " Most importantly, we scored runs. We've been out-hitting our opponents, but have not been able to push runs across the plate. Today we did that."
Louisville (10-11, 3-1) and East Carolina (15-14, 1-7) will conclude the three-game series Sunday at noon.
