University of Louisville
EASTERN MICHIGAN<BR>(Louisville Classic)
Eastern Michigan Edges Softball 3-2
March 26, 2006 | Softball
March 26, 2006
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - - The No. 20-ranked University of Louisville softball team lost to visiting Eastern Michigan 3-2 Sunday in the final game of the Louisville Classic. The Cards drop to 19-4 on the season, while Eastern Michigan improves to 9-15.
"I felt like our team wasn't as focused today as they should have been," said U of L head coach Sandy Pearsall. "We obviously didn't get enough offense to get the job done. Once you get behind, it's tough to come back consistently."
The Cards jumped to an early 1-0 lead when Audrey Rendon drew a leadoff walk, took second on Leslie Garland's sacrifice bunt and scored on a single by Lacy Wood.
The Eagles responded in the top of the third when Stephanie Sabo led off the frame with a walk. Heather Giroux followed with a single and Ashley Strauss reached safely on an infield hit to load the bases. Lauren Clark sent a grounder to second base, but Sabo was called safe on the play at home to tie the game at 1-1. Lindsey Schmid's sacrifice fly sent Giroux home to give Eastern Michigan a 2-1 lead.
EMU added another run in the fourth when Heather Han led off with a walk, took second on a sacrifice bunt by Lindsay Ritz. Sabo's single send Han to third and she crossed the plate on Giroux's infield single to make it a 3-1 game.
Louisville scored in the bottom of the sixth when Lacy Wood doubled and came home on Michelle Vasquez's double to make it a 3-2 game.
The Cardinals threatened in the bottom of the sixth when Kristi Cunningham delivered a one-out single. Rendon followed with a single, but was out when Garland reached on a fielder's choice to place runner on the corners with two outs. Courtney Moore rifled a line drive to the third baseman to end the game.
U of L starter Kady Garrick (5-1) took her first loss of the season, allowing three runs on six hits and striking out four in 4.0 innings. Catherine Bishop held the Eagles hitless in the final three innings. The Cardinals were led at the plate by Wood's 2 for 2 performance.
Eastern Michigan's Nikki Denman (4-4) got the complete-game win, allowing five hits and striking out five. Giroux led the Eagles offensively, going 2 for 4 with a run and an RBI.
The Cardinals will travel to Richmond, Ky., to face Eastern Kentucky in a single game Wednesday, March 29 at 3 p.m.
