University of Louisville
Houston *
Softball Sweeps Houston Doubleheader
April 17, 2004 | Softball
April 17, 2004
HOUSTON - - The University of Louisville softball team defeated host Houston 6-2 in the first game and used two home runs to edge the Cougars 4-3 in the nightcap of a Conference USA doubleheader. The Cardinals' program-best winning streak is now at 12 games.
In the first game, the Cards jumped to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Shannon Nord reached on a leadoff error, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Sara Bausher and crossed the plate on a double by Lacy Wood.
U of L added five runs in the second when Courtney Moore drew a leadoff walk. Candi Hicks and Audrey Rendon registered back-to-back infield hits to load the bases for Michelle Vasquez two-run single, making it a 3-0 game. Bausher's three-run homer gave the Cards a 6-0 lead.
Houston scored two runs in the third when Kim Nesloney drew a walk and scored on a double by Kristen Glowacz who crossed the plate on a single by Jenilee Skender to make it a 6-2 game.
Aja Sherman (11-2) picked up her seventh straight win, allowing two earned runs on four hits and striking out eight in seven innings. Offensively, the Cardinals had six hits and were led by Rendon, who batted 2-for-3 with a run.
Houston starter Jamie Falco (6-2) took the loss, allowing six runs, five earned on five hits in 1.2 innings.
In the second game, the Cougars got on the scoreboard in the first inning as Nesloney led off with a single, stole second, moved to third on Glowacz' hit and scored on Skender's sacrifice fly to give Houston a 1-0 lead.
The Cardinals answered in the top of the second when Estes singled and Sherman took a 3-2 pitch over the left field fence to put U of L on top 2-1.
Houston responded in the bottom of the third. Nesloney walked, moved to third when Jamie Adams reached on a two-base error and came home on a hit Glowacz. Adams crossed the plate on a double steal to give the Cougars a 3-2 lead.
The Cards moved ahead again in the sixth when Bausher was hit by a pitch and scored on Lacy Wood's two-run shot to center field to make it a 4-3 game.
Kady Garrick (16-4) picked up the win in relief, holding the Cougars scoreless and giving up two hits in four innings. Offensively, the Cardinals had six hits in the game. Wood was 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBI's and a run. Nord was 2-for-4.
"Again, our timely hitting really came through for us," said U of L head coach Sandy Pearsall. "We played well defensively and are happy to come away with two wins."
Houston starter Crystal Briscoe (8-8) took the loss, allowing four earned runs on five hits and striking out seven in 5.1 innings.
Louisville (34-10, 15-2) will play Houston (28-18, 7-7) in the final game of the series Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
