University of Louisville
<i>@Charlotte *</i>
McKinnon Slams 49ers in the 10th
May 08, 2005 | Baseball
May 8, 2005
CHARLOTTE, NC. - Ryan McKinnon's grand slam to center field in the top of the 10th inning lifted the University of Louisville to a dramatic 12-8 win over Charlotte Sunday to win the series two games to one. Brian Halford's four perfect innings of relief gave him the win.
Louisville(26-19, 12-11 C-SA) took a 1-0 lead for the third time in as many games in the series on an RBI single by Isaiah Howes that score Nick Haley.
A controversial play ensued later in the inning, as the Cards loaded the bases with one out. Curt Stewart lifted a shallow fly ball to center that was caught by Adam Willard. Willard threw home as LaFountain tagged, and as the ball arrived, LaFountain knocked the ball loose from catcher Chris Taylor's glove in a collision at the plate. LaFountain was ruled out and the double play ended the inning.
In the bottom of the first, the 49ers(26-21, 9-15 C-USA) tied the game at one on an RBI double by Kris Rochelle.
Derrick Alfonso walked to lead off the second, and with two out, Boomer Whiting homered to left-center, his fourth of the year, putting the Cards up 3-1.
McKinnon drew a two-out walk in the third, and with a full count, Stewart blasted his first home run of the season into the trees in left to put the Cards up 5-1.
Charlotte's Cory Lane homered to lead off the bottom of the third, and later in the inning, Spencer Steedley hit a two-run shot to cut the lead to 5-4 Cards.
Mike Ambrose hit the third 49er home run of the day in the fourth, with one on to put Charlotte up 6-5.
The Cards knotted the game at six in the top of the sixth when Chris Cates doubled down the left field line and scored a triple off the wall in left by Whiting.
LaFountain walked to open the top of the seventh, moved to third on Howes third single of the day, and scored on a sac fly by McKinnon to put the Cards up 7-6.
Steedley's second home run of the game tied the game at seven, and after Garrett Hanselman tripled to right, O'Brien Taylor singled him home to put Charlotte up 8-7.
In the Cardinal ninth, Logan Johnson lead off with a pinch double down the right field line. Cates moved him to third with a sac bunt, and a wild pitch scored him to tie the game at eight.
In the 10th, Whiting walked, Haley laid down a bunt single and Howes was put on intentionally after a sac bunt by LaFountain to load the bases for McKinnon. It was his third career grand slam, fifth home run of the season, and second in extra-innings.
U of L starter Justin Valdes lasted just three innings, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks. He fanned two.
Mike Lynn didn't fare much better getting touched for two runs on three hits and two walks in 1.1 frames. Griffin Bailey followed with 1.2 innings and gave up a pair of runs on four hits.
Halford (3-1) retired all 12 batters he faced in order, throwing just 28 pitches.
McKinnon tied a career-best with five runs driven in, walking three times to go with the homer and sac fly. Haley and Howes each had three hits.
Charlotte reliever Julian Sides(0-1), the fifth 49er hurler on the afternoon took the loss, allowing all four runs on two hits and two walks while striking out one.
Next up, Butler will pay a visit to Jim Patterson Stadium on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. Admission to all home baseball games at U of L is free of charge. Former U of L All-Conference quarterback Stefan LeFors will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
