University of Louisville
<b>CHARLOTTE</b> *
Howes, Johnson and Cates Lift Cards to 3-2 Thriller
April 16, 2004 | Baseball
April 16, 2004
LOUISVILLE, KY - A pinch-hit solo home run by freshman Logan Johnson in the bottom of the ninth tied the game, and an RBI single by Chris Cates won the game, as the University of Louisville baseball team pulled out a 3-2 win over Charlotte Friday at Cardinal Stadium.
A two out single by Chris Lane scored Brian Scafe in the top of the fourth, putting Charlotte(14-16, 4-8) up 1-0.
The 49ers made it 2-0 in the fifth on an RBI single by rightfielder Spencer Steedley.
A tape-measure home run to left-center by Cardinal left fielder Isaiah Howes, his third of the season, cut the lead in half in the bottom of the seventh.
Johnson stepped to the plate and stroked a 1-0 pitch over the fence in right for his first career home run, knotting the game at two.
Howes followed the round-tripper with a walk, moved to second on a sacrifice by Danny Plasencia and advanced to third on a failed bunt attempt by Boomer Whiting.
Nick Haley walked for the second time on the afternoon, setting up Cates' game winner. The freshman worked the count to 2-1, before lining one off the outstretched glove of Charlotte shortstop Tommy Bowker to score Howes and win the game.
Freshman Justin Valdes started for the Cards(19-14, 8-5), and tossed 6.2 solid innings, allowing two runs as he scattered 11 hits and two walks. He fanned four.
Skylar Meade struck out two and gave up a pair of hits in 1.2 frames of relief.
Sophomore Jon Harbridge (1-2) got the final two outs with a runner at second to earn the win.
Charlotte starter Justin Brown allowed a run on four hits and four walks in 7.2 innings. He struck out a career high seven.
Reliever Erik Walker (2-2) blew the save an d was pinned with the loss, permitting two runs on two hits and three walks in an inning of work.
Howes had two hits and scored twice, including the winner.
Charlotte catcher Kris Rochelle had three hits in the loss.
The same two teams will meet for game two of the three-game set on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. ET at Cardinal Stadium. Admission and parking are free.
