University of Louisville
<B>CINCINNATI</B> *
Freshmen Lead Cardinal Nine to 11-6 Win
March 26, 2004 | Baseball
March 26, 2004
LOUISVILLE, KY - True freshmen Logan Johnson, Isaiah Howes and Daniel Burton went a combined 10 for 13 with a double, two triples, eight RBI and seven runs in the University of Louisville's 11-6 win over Cincinnati on Friday.
A bases-clearing double by UC second baseman Mark Muscenti in the second, staked the Bearcats(3-18, 0-4) to a 3-0 lead.
The Cardinals(12-9, 3-1) responded in the next half-inning. Ryan McKinnon doubled off the wall in left and scored on Burton's single up the middle, making it 3-1 Cats.
U of L then struck for five runs in the third to take a 6-3 lead.
Catcher Ron Braun drew a one-out walk, Johnson singled and McKinnon was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
Burton then stepped to the plate and ripped a single to right, scoring two.
Howes then tripled off the wall in right center, plating two more, and a squeeze bunt by Boomer Whiting plated Howes.
Burton and Howes opened the Cardinal half of the fifth with back-to-back singles.
Whiting moved them over with his third sac bunt of the game and Nick Haley singled them home, extending the U of L lead to 8-3, and his career-high hit streak to 12 games.
A two-run home run by Aaron moll in the Cincinnati sixth, narrowed the margin to 8-5.
In the top of the eighth, a double play ground ball with the bases loaded pushed the Bearcats to within two, but the Cards plated three in the bottom half of the frame to close the door.
Braun and Johnson singled with one out and Burton doubled them home. He would then score on a RBI single by Howes.
Another true freshman, starting pitcher Justin Valdes (3-2) earned the win for the Cards, tossing 6.1 innings, allowing five runs, four of which were earned on nine hits and two walks.
Valdes was replaced by Brian Halford, who earned his third save of the season, allowing his first earned run in 22.1 innings on three hits, striking out two.
Braun and Johnson were both 3 for 4 with two runs, while Burton was 4 for 5 with five RBI and three runs. Burton started at first base for the first time in his career.
Howes was 3 for 4 with three RBI and two runs as the Cards pounded out a season-high 17 hits.
Brian St. Jean(1-3) took the loss for the Bearcats.
The same two teams will meet for game two of the series on Saturday at Cardinal Stadium at 1:00 p.m. ET. Admission and parking are free.
