University of Louisville
<B>SOUTHERN MISS</B> *
Cardinal Nine Rallies Past # 26 Southern Miss, 9-6
March 23, 2003 | Baseball
March 23, 2003
LOUISVILLE, KY - A two-run single by Ron Braun keyed a six-run fifth inning as the University of Louisville erased a 6-1 deficit and topped 26th ranked Southern Miss 9-6 on Sunday at Cardinal Stadium.
The Golden Eagles (17-6, 5-1) opened the scoring in the second with an RBI double by third baseman Beau Griffin for a 1-0 lead.
The Cardinals (13-7, 3-3) answered after a double play ground ball with the bases loaded plated Morgan Bojorquez to even the ledger at one.
Clint King gave the Eagles the lead again with an RBI single and Griff Israel followed with a two-run home run to put USM up 4-1 in the third.
Jeff Cook singled home two more in the fourth to increase the advantage to 6-1.
Nick Haley notched a one-out single in the fifth, and advanced to third on two wild pitches. An out later, Haley scored on a balk by USM starter Stephen Castleman.
With two out, J.T. LaFountain smoked a ground-rule double to right, advanced to third on another wild pitch and then scored on a single by Cardinal third baseman Greg Taylor to cut the lead to 6-3.
The fourth wild pitch of the inning moved Taylor to second and he scored on a single by Josh Bolen, making it 6-4. Bojorquez then launched a towering fly ball to the warning track in left-center that bounded over the wall for another ground-rule double, halting Bolen at third and chasing Castleman.
Braun stepped to the plate, already 2 for 2 on the day, and ripped a single through the right side off of reliever John Nicholas, plating Bolen and Bojorquez and tying things at six.
Luis Pardo walked, and lefty Ray Antonelli stepped in to face Dave Williams Jr. The U of L center fielder took the first pitch back up the middle to score Braun, and give the Cards a 7-6 lead.
In the sixth, Bolen blasted his third home run of the season to the bleachers in right center to cushion the lead to 9-6 and close the scoring.
Cardinal starter Griffin Bailey was touched for six runs - five earned on eight hits and two walks, while fanning two before departing with one out in the fourth.
Mike Eilers (3-1) induced a double-play ground ball to end the fourth, and allowed just one hit and two walks, striking out two in 2.2 frames of scoreless relief to get the win.
Carlos Fernandez notched his fourth save of the season, striking out four, including the final two batters of the game, in three innings of hitless relief. He walked two.
Nicholas took the loss for the Eagles, allowing a run on a hit and a walk without retiring a batter. The Eagles sent five pitchers to the mound on the afternoon.
Braun finished the day 3 for 3, while Bolen and Taylor each had two hits. Bolen, LaFountain and Bojorquez each scored twice on the afternoon, as Bolen also drove in three runs.
The Cards will hit the road Tuesday and head to Bowling Green to face Western Kentucky at 5:00 p.m. ET. Louisville defeated the Hilltoppers 18-1 on March 11th.
Louisville then hosts South Florida for a three-game set beginning Friday at 6:00 p.m. at Cardinal Stadium. Those who enter at gate four will park for free, and admission is also free. Radio broadcasts can be heard at WAVG 1450 AM in Louisville.
