University of Louisville
at UAB *
Cardinal Nine Edges Blazers
March 21, 2004 | Baseball
March 21, 2004
BIRMINGHAM, AL - An RBI single by Chris Cates scored Greg Taylor with two out in the eighth inning, lifting the University of Louisville to a 3-2 win over UAB in the deciding game of the Conference USA opening series.
Senior Mark Jurich singled home Nick Haley in the first to give the Cards(11-8, 2-1) a 1-0 lead.
An RBI single by UAB's Daniel Hill in the fifth tied the game at one.
The Cards regained the lead in the next half inning when Taylor scored from third on what would have been a sac fly by Haley.
UAB left fielder Matt Womble dropped the line drive by Haley, putting him at second on the two-base error and scoring Taylor.
In the seventh, the Blazers(13-7, 1-2) again tied things up, this time on an RBI double by Josh Miljavik making it 2-2.
Taylor reached on an error with one out in the eighth, Boomer Whiting walked, and Haley reached on a fielder's choice putting runners at the corners with two out.
Cates was 0 for 12 in the series before he poked an 0-1 pitch down the right field line, plating what would be the game winner.
B.J. Rosenberg started for the Cards and tossed 6.1 strong innings, allowing two runs as he scattered six hits and four walks, striking out two.
Scott Jenkins picked up a strikeout and a walk in a third of an inning, before Brian Halford entered the game with two on and two out in the seventh. A fly ball to center ended the frame setting up the Cardinal eighth.
Halford(3-0), who earned the win on Saturday, again was the winning pitcher, tossing 2.1 frames, allowing a hit and a walk.
UAB reliever Adam Price took the loss, allowing an unearned run on two hits and a walk in 2.2 frames.
Freshman Isaiah Howes was the only Cardinal with two hits, while Taylor scored twice.
Haley extended his hit streak to a season-high 10 games.
Halford has now won his first seven collegiate decisions, and has not permitted an earned run in 19.2 innings this season.
The Cards will next face Western Kentucky on Tuesday at Cardinal Stadium at 3:00 p.m. ET, before a three-game series against Cincinnati next weekend.
