University of Louisville
Georgia Southern<br>(Georgia Southern Invitational)
Softball Beats Maryland 2-1, Georgia Southern 3-0
February 17, 2006 | Softball
Feb. 17, 2006
STATESBORO, Ga. - - The University of Louisville softball team defeated Maryland 2-1 and shut out host Georgia Southern 3-0 Friday on the first day of the Georgia Southern Invitational. The Cardinals are off to a program-best 5-0 start.
"I was happy with the way we kept our composure after being down 1-0 for most of the Maryland game, we responded with our backs against the wall and were able to get the win" said U of L head coach Sandy Pearsall. "We hit the ball hard today, but unfortunately a lot of our hits were right at people and both teams made some great plays defensively."
In the opening game, the Terps got on the scoreboard in the second inning when Natalie Grossman drew a leadoff walk and was lifted for pinch-runner Natalie Grossman who beat Louisville shortstop Courtney Moore's tag while stealing second. She took third on Keri Lounge's groundout and scored when Amanda D'Attilio reached on a fielder's choice.
The score remained the same for the next four innings as both pitchers worked the plate, allowing one hit each. Maryland threatened to add to the lead in the bottom of the sixth when Lindsey Ubrun delivered a one-out double. Lindsay Klein grounded out. Smith and Lounge drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. Louisville second baseman Michelle Vasquez fielded D'Attilio's hit to end the inning.
The Cardinals got on the scoreboard and took the lead in the top of the seventh when Moore led off with a single. Kristi Cunningham entered the game as a pinch-runner and moved to second on Lacy Woods' sacrifice bunt. Michelle Vasquez's base hit drove Cunningham home to tie the game at 1-1. Vasquez crossed the plate when Sarah Totten's hit got past Maryland second baseman Lounge.
The Terps had runner in scoring position with one out in the bottom of the seventh when Welch drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a passed ball. Louisville reliever Kady Garrick retired the last two batters to get the win.
Vasquez led the Cards going 2 for 3 with a run and an RBI. Bishop (2-0) got the win, holding the Terps to two hits and striking out five in six innings. Garrick didn't allow a hit and struck out two in one inning to pick up her first save of the season.
Maryland's Crystal Crews held the Cards scoreless and struck out two in 4.2 innings. Meredith Nelles (0-1) took the loss, allowing two earned runs and striking out one. Lindsay Ubrun and Nikki Smith each had a hit for Maryland (0-1).
In the game against the host Eagles, the Cardinals took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third when Alma Navarrete led off with a walk, Audrey Rendon singled and Moore walked to load the bases for Vasquez's two-run double.
U of L added another run in the fifth when Rendon led off with a single, stole second and came home on Moore's RBI single to make it a 3-0 game.
The Cards had a chance to increase their lead in the sixth when Brooke McCrain singled and Lacy Wood and Leslie Garland walked to load the bases with one out. Georgia Southern third baseman Maria Laurato caught Rendon's bullet down the line and pitcher Logan Free retired the next batter to get out of the jam.
Kady Garrick (2-0) got the shutout win, allowing four hits and striking out four in four innings. Kassie Stanfill posted her first save of the season and combined for the shutout, striking out two in three innings. Offensively, the Cards had five hits in the game and were led by Rendon's 2 for 4, two run performance.
Free (1-3) took the loss, allowing three earned runs on five hits and striking out three in six innings. Aurora Johnson led the Eagles offensively, going 2 for 4 at the plate.
Louisville will continue play in the Georgia Southern Invitational against Troy University at noon and Charleston Southern at 2 p.m. Saturday.
