University of Louisville
UAB
Softball Tosses No-hitters in UAB Sweep
March 29, 2005 | Softball
March 29, 2005
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - - Senior Aja Sherman tossed her sixth career no-hitter as the University of Louisville softball team defeated visiting UAB 8-0 in the opening game and sophomore Catherine Bishop posted her first career no-hitter as the Cards outlasted the Blazers 1-0 in the second game.
The Cardinals jumped to a 4-0 lead in the first innings when Audrey Rendon led off the bottom of the first with an infield hit and Candi Hicks reached safely on a fielder's choice. Courtney Moore was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Lacy Wood's first career grand slam.
Michelle Vasquez led off the second with her fifth home of the season to make it a 5-0 game. Leslie Garland followed with a triple and came home on a sacrifice fly by Candi Hicks.
The Cards struck again in the third when Sara Bausher reached on a leadoff error and moved to second on a wild pitch. Sarah Totten was hit by a pitch. Michelle Vasquez's double sent Bausher home and Totten scored on Audrey Rendon's infield single to give Louisville an 8-0 lead.
The Blazers had a runner in scoring position in the fourth as Sara Christophel drew a two-out walk and moved to second when Carrie Christophel reached on an error. Sherman struck out the next batter to preserve the shutout.
Sherman (7-7) posted her fifth shutout and second no-hitter of the season, giving up only one walk and striking out eight in five innings. Offensively, the Cardinals had 10 hits in the game. Wood was 2-for-3 with a double and a home run with four RBI. Vasquez was 2-for-3 with a double and home run, two RBI and a run. Rendon was 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI.
UAB starter Erica Mascarenas (4-3) took the loss, allowing six earned runs on five hits and striking out two in 2.0 innings.
In the nightcap, the teams played through four scoreless innings before the Cardinals broke through when Rendon beat out an infield single to start the inning and moved to second on Hicks' sacrifice bunt. Courtney Moore's triple sent Rendon home to make it a 1-0 game.
Louisville starter Catherine Bishop (11-5) posted her fifth shutout of the season, holding UAB hitless and striking out seven in 7.0 innings. Offensively, the Cards had eight hits. Lisa Estes was 2-for-3. Audrey Rendon was 2-for4 four with a double and the only run of the game. The Cardinals improve to 18-12 (4-1 C-USA).
UAB's Jennifer Nelson (6-5) took the loss, allowing one earned run on eight hits and striking out seven in six innings. The Blazers fall to 15-23 (2-6 C-USA).
"I was very pleased with our hitting in the first game," said U of L head coach Sandy Pearsall. "In the second game, we just weren't able to hit the ball when we had runners in scoring position, which is something we definitely need to improve on. I do want to give credit to UAB's Jennifer Nelson for pitching a very strong game against us."
The teams will face off in the final game of the series on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at Ulmer Stadium.
