University of Louisville
Illinois State<br>(NFCA Leadoff Classic)
No. 24 Softball Falls to Illinois State 3-2
February 24, 2006 | Softball
Feb. 24, 2006
COLUMBUS, Ga. - Illinois State used two home runs to defeat the University of Louisville softball team a 3-2 loss, handing the No. 24 ranked Cardinals their first loss of the season Friday night in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Leadoff Classic. The loss breaks the Cardinals' nine-game winning streak.
The Redbirds jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first when Tricia Gaither singled and Amber Smith delivered a two-run homer.
The Cardinals had an opportunity to push a run across in the top of the second when Alma Navarrete was thrown out at the plate when trying to score from second on Leslie Garland's single to left field.
Gaither's two-out solo shot in the third gave ISU a 3-0 lead.
Louisville had another chance to score in the bottom of the fifth when Garland reached on a fielder's choice and Rendon doubled to put runners on second and third with two outs. Illinois State's Shannon Nicholson got Candi Hicks to ground out to second to end the threat.
The Cards mounted a rally in the bottom of the seventh, but this time could not come through with the win. Sarah Totten reached on a fielder's choice and moved to second on Rendon's hit. A Redbird error allowed Totten and Rendon to score and put Candi Hicks on second base, for the tying run. ISU's Bird entered the game and picked up her second save of season with a strikeout to end the game.
Louisville's Stanfill (2-1) took the loss, giving up three earned runs on five hits and striking out four in 2.2 innings. Kady Garrick held the Redbirds to two hits and struck out two in 3.1 innings. Rendon led the Cardinals offensively, batting 3 for 4 with a run. The Cards had seven hits and stranded seven runners in the game.
Illinois State's Nicholson (2-4) picked up the win, allowing two unearned runs on seven hits and striking out three in 6.2 innings. Gaither was 2 for 3 with two runs and an RBI. The Redbirds improve to 3-6 on the season.
U of L (9-1) falls to 1-1 in pool play and will face Massachusetts (1-6) Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
