University of Louisville
HOUSTON
Softball Sweeps Houston Doubleheader
April 30, 2005 | Softball
April 30, 2005
LOUISVILLE, Ky - - Softball Sweeps Houston 5-4 and 3-2
The University of Louisville softball team swept visiting Houston in a Conference USA doubleheader, edging the Cougars 5-4 in eight innings and 3-2 in the nightcap Saturday at Ulmer Stadium.
In the first game, the Cardinals jumped to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning when Candi Hicks tripled to set up Lacy Wood's two-run shot over the left field fence.
Louisville added two more runs in the second when Lisa Estes walked, Leslie Garland singled and Audrey Rendon reached safely on an infield single to set up Hicks' two run single.
The Cougars got on the scoreboard when Brooke Johnson led off the top of the third with a towering solo home run over the right field fence.
Houston struck again in the top of the fourth when Kristen Glowacz blasted solo home run to make it a 4-2 game. Jenilee Skender and Michelle Keith singled and Branki Clark grounded out to place runners at second and third. Johnson's two-run single tied the game at 4-4.
The contest remained knotted at 4-4 until the bottom of the eighth when Wood reached on a fielder's choice and took second on a single by Michelle Vasquez. Sarah Totten's hit loaded the bases. Lisa Estes' two-out RBI single scored Wood to give the Cards the 5-4 win.
Louisville's Aja Sherman (16-9) picked up the win in relief, holding the Cougars to one hit and striking out four in four innings. Offensively, the Cards had 11 hits in the game. Wood finished 2 for 4 with a home run, two RBI and two runs. Hicks went 2 for 4 with a triple, a run and two RBI.
Houston reliever Barbie Love (4-8) took the loss, allowing one earned run on seven hits and striking out four in six innings. Offensively, the Cougars had six hits. Johnson led the way, batting 2 for 3 with a home run and three RBI.
In game two, the Cougars took a 2-0 lead in the top of the fourth when Brandi Clark singled and Jenilee Skender smacked a two-out home run.
UH threatened to add to the lead in the fifth when Dru Daniels singled and Johnson walked and Kim Nesloney reached on an infield hit to load the bases with two outs. Louisville's Sherman retired the next batter to end the inning.
The Cards responded in the bottom of the fifth when Rendon singled and Hicks walked to set up Courtney Moore's three-run homer giving Louisville the 3-2 lead.
Sherman (17-9) got the win, allowing two earned runs on five hits and striking out six in five innings. Catherine Bishop picked up her third save of the season, allowing two hits in two innings. Offensively, the Cards had six hits in the game. Moore was 2 for 2 with a home run and three RBI and Hicks was 2 for 2 with a run.
Crystal Briscoe (4-4) took the loss, allowing three earned runs on six hits and striking out five in 4.1 innings. Offensively, the Cougars had seven hits and were led by Skender's 3 for 3 performance. The Cougars fall to 26-25 (9-11 C-USA).
"I was very pleased with how Aja Sherman pitched today," said U of L head coach Sandy Pearsall. "She came in and gave a solid performance. She started to run out of steam a little at the end, which is understandable because she threw a lot of innings today. It was also good to see our team responded when their backs are against the wall. We had some timely hitting and played pretty well defensively. Houston is a very good hitting team and I fully expect them to come out swinging tomorrow."
Louisville (35-16, 16-4) will celebrate senior day as the teams meet for the third game of the series Sunday at noon at Ulmer Stadium.
