University of Louisville
Northwestern<br>(NFCA Leadoff Classic)
Softball Tames No. 12 Northwestern Wildcats 2-0
February 24, 2006 | Softball
Feb. 24, 2006
COLUMBUS, Ga. - - The No. 24 ranked University of Louisville softball team improved to 9-0 on the season with a 2-0 win over No. 12/13 Northwestern in the first game of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Leadoff Classic. The Cardinals are now 1-0 in pool play and will face Illinois State Friday at 7:30 p.m.
"I'm very pleased with the way we played today," said U of L head coach Sandy Pearsall. "We came out aggressively and played our type of game to beat a very good Northwestern team. I'm also happy with Catherine Bishop's strong performance on the mound today."
After two scoreless innings, the Cardinals broke through with a run in the bottom of the third when freshman Kristi Cunningham delivered a solo shot over the centerfield fence her second home run of the season.
Louisville added another run in the bottom of the fourth courtesy of junior Courtney Moore's solo home run over the right field fence to make it a 2-0 game.
The Wildcats threatened in the top of the sixth when Darcy Sengewald and Tammy Williams drew back-to-back walks to start the inning. Both runners advanced on Katie Logan's sacrifice bunt put the tying run in scoring position. Louisville pitcher junior Catherine Bishop got Garland Cooper to ground back to her for the second out and Williams was caught off second to end the inning.
Bishop (5-0) got the shutout win, holding the Wildcats to two hits and striking out seven in seven innings. The Cardinals had five hits offensively. Both Cunningham and Moore finished the game 1 for 2 with a home run. Candi Hicks, Lacy Wood and Sarah Totten also had singles for Louisville.
Northwestern starter Eileen Canney (2-2) took the loss, giving up two earned runs on five hits and striking out nine in six innings. Williams and Logan accounted for the Wildcats' two hits. With the loss, Northwestern falls to 7-4 on the season.
