University of Louisville
EASTERN MICHIGAN
Cardinal Nine Tops Eagles 4-2 Sunday
March 05, 2006 | Baseball
March 5, 2006
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Sophomore Derrick Alfonso's solo home run to lead off the sixth tied the game at two, and Daniel Burton's RBI single in the seventh put the University of Louisville on top en route to a 4-2 win over Eastern Michigan on Sunday.
Seniors Griffin Bailey and Brian Halford allowed only a walk in the final 4.1 innings to clinch the win.
It was the Eagles (4-7) getting on the board first in the second when a passed ball scored Brian Blackburn from third, giving them a 1-0 lead.
They upped the advantage in the fourth on a two-out RBI triple by Eric Pelot to make it 2-0.
Louisville (4-8) got on the board in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI single by Pete Rodriguez, that scored Jorge Castillo who was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame.
Alfonso hammered a 1-1 pitch to left and tied the score at two after six.
Chris Cates drew a leadoff walk in the seventh and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Logan Johnson before Burton belted a single through the left side, scoring Cates and giving the Cards a 3-2 lead. Burton moved to second on the throw to the plate, and when it sailed to the backstop he glided into third.
Castillo then lifted a deep fly ball to right, scoring Burton on a sac fly for an insurance run.
Cardinal starter Jake Smith worked the first 4.2 innings, allowing two runs, one of which was earned, on four hits and a pair of walks while fanning one.
Bailey (1-0) worked the next 3.1 innings to pick up the win, retiring 10 of the 11 batters he faced, allowing just a walk.
Halford struck out the final two on called third strikes in the 1-2-3 ninth to earn his first save of the season and 16th of his career, tying him with Carlos Fernandez for second all-time in Cardinal history.
EMU starter Craig Bate (0-1) took the loss in his college debut, giving up three runs on five hits and four walks in 6.1 innings.
The Cardinals hit the road for a five game road swing beginning Tuesday in Richmond, Kentucky against Eastern Kentucky at 2:00 p.m. ET. There will be no audio broadcast available Tuesday.
