University of Louisville
Louisiana Tech
Softball Tops Louisiana Tech 8-0, Louisiana-Monroe 3-1
February 18, 2005 | Softball
Feb. 18, 2005
MONROE, La. - - The University of Louisville softball team defeated Louisiana Tech 8-0 in five innings and Louisiana-Monroe 3-1 Friday in the Louisiana-Monroe Mardi Gras Classic.
The teams played through three complete innings without either team placing a runner on, before the Cards broke through in the top of the fourth. Audrey Rendon reached on a bunt single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Candi Hicks. Courtney Moore followed with a home run over right centerfield to make it a 2-0 game.
Louisiana Tech's only hit in the game came in the bottom of the fourth when Rochelle Sandberg singled and moved to second on a groundout, marking the only runner the Lady Techster's had in scoring position.
The Cardinals put up six more runs in the fifth when Lisa Estes led off the inning with a single and moved to second on a hit by Alma Navarrete. Jenn Skaggs ripped a double down the right field line to bring Estes home, giving the Cards a 3-0 lead. Leslie Garland's two-run triple increased the score to 5-0. Moore's shot to the right field wall fell in for a triple, scoring Garland and Rendon, who had reached safely on a fielder's choice. Moore crossed the plate on a wild pitch to make it an 8-0 game.
Louisville starting pitcher Aja Sherman retired the next three Lady Tech batters in the bottom of the fifth for the 8-0 run-rule win.
Sherman (2-4) picked up the win, holding the Lady Techsters to one hit and striking out six and did not issue a walk in five innings. Offensively, the Cards had seven hits in the game. Moore finished 2-for-3 with a triple, a home run, two runs and four RBI.
Louisiana Tech starting pitcher Lindsey Meadows (2-4), took the loss, allowing eight earned runs on seven hits and striking out five in 4.1 innings. Sandberg's single in the fourth broke up the otherwise perfect game. The Lady Techsters fall to 5-7 on the season.
Against host Louisiana-Monroe, the Lady Indians jumped to an early lead when Kristen Baker led off the game with a single and Lindsay Schafer followed with a walk. A wild pitch moved the runners and an illegal pitch advanced the runners, sending Baker home to make it a 1-0 game.
Lisa Estes' solo shot in the bottom of the second tied the game at 1-1.
The game remained knotted at 1-1 until the bottom of the sixth when U of L's Candi Hicks led off with a double and moved to third on Moore's single and Sara Bausher walked. Estes drew a bases-loaded walk to bring Hicks home. Moore crossed the plate when Sherman reached on a fielder's choice to make it a 3-1 game.
Louisville starter Catherine Bishop (4-1) picked up the win, allowing one earned run while striking out six and scattering two hits over seven innings. Offensively, the Cards had six hits and were led by Moore, who finished 3-for-3 and scored a run.
Louisiana-Monroe's Shanna Swillie (1-2) took the loss, allowing two earned runs on three hits in 3.1 innings. The Lady Indians fall to 5-6.
"I was pleased with our offense this morning, we came out and hit the ball," said U of L head coach Sandy Pearsall. "Aja Sherman threw very well for us this morning and that made a huge difference for us in our first game. We weren't quite as sharp in the second game, it took us a little longer to get on track and put something together to score runs. Courtney Moore continues to swing the bat extremely well for us."
The Cards (6-5) will play Southern Miss and San Jose State Saturday.
