University of Louisville
<B>ILLINOIS</B>
Illinois Tops Cardinal Nine Friday
March 07, 2003 | Baseball
March 7, 2003
LOUISVILLE, KY - Illinois topped the University of Louisville baseball team 18-9 Friday afternoon at Cardinal Stadium.
The Illini(2-0) struck for two runs in the first on an RBI double by Andy Schutzenhofer and an RBI single by Brandon Cashman.
Louisville(8-3) answered when Dave Williams Jr. reached on a leadoff walk, stole second, and after stealing third, scored when the ball got away from third baseman Dusty Bensko for a 2-1 deficit.
The Illini punched home five runs in the third on five hits to give them a 7-1 advantage, but U of L fought back to tie the score with sixth in the bottom of the third.
J.T. LaFountain, Josh Bolen and Morgan Bojorquez singled to lead off the inning, plating LaFountain. Bolen scored on a double play ground ball before Ron Braun and Luis Pardo each singled.
Third baseman Ryan McKinnon followed with a two-run triple and scored himself on a single by Nick Haley. Haley stole second and scored on a single by Williams for the 7-7 mark.
Bolen walked to lead off the fourth, stole second and eventually scored on an error to give the Cards a 8-7 lead.
But the lead was short-lived as Schutzenhofer singled home a pair of runs in the sixth and scored on a wild pitch to make the score 10-8.
Illinois then exploded for seven runs in the seventh, the big blow coming on a three-run home run by Joe Parenti that just snuck over the fence in right to put the Illini up 17-8.
A Schutzenhofer sac fly plated Illinois final run in the eighth.
LaFountain scored on a Bolen ground out in the bottom of the eighth for the final score 18-9.
Cardinal starter Mike Tisdale was chased in the third, allowing seven runs on seven hits and two walks in 2.1 innings, striking out three. Skylar Meade (0-1) entered and eventually took the loss, totalling five runs on seven hits and a strikeout in 3.2 frames.
Griffin Bailey gave up six runs, three of which were earned on five hits and a walk in two innings, fanning one, and Steve Ayers walked one and struck out one in the ninth.
Illinois reliever Reilly Smith(1-0) picked up the win, tossing 5.1 innings while allowing two runs, one earned, on three hits and three walks and striking out two.
Schutzenhofer was 4 for 5 with four RBI and three runs to pace the Illini. LaFountain, Bojorquez and Pardo each had two hits for the Cards.
The Cards and Illini will meet for game two of the series Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at Cardinal Stadium. Admission and parking are free and the game will air on WAVG 1450 AM radio.
