University of Louisville
USF
Softball Drops USF Doubleheader 2-1 and 4-0
April 15, 2006 | Softball
April 15, 2006
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - - The No. 18-ranked University of Louisville softball team was swept by visiting USF 2-1 and 4-0 in a BIG EAST doubleheader Saturday at Ulmer Stadium marking the first time this season that the Cardinals were swept by a conference opponent. Louisville falls to 26-7 (5-3 BIG EAST) while USF improves to 38-19 and remains undefeated in the conference and in first place in league standings.
"We're obviously not pleased with today's outcome," said U of L head coach Sandy Pearsall. "We seem to be struggling at home lately and you have to play well against teams like South Florida. We definitely need to put things together both offensively and defensively."
In the first game, the Cardinals jumped to a 1-0 lead in the second when Michelle Vasquez singled, took second on Brooke McCrain's sacrifice bunt and moved to third on a passed ball. Leslie Garland delivered a single to score Vasquez.
The Bulls answered in the top of the fourth when Samantha Ray and Christie Chapman registered back-to-back hits and Ray crossed the plate on Krista Holle's single to tie the game at 1-1.
USF scored the deciding run in the top of the seventh when Tiffany Stewart singled and moved to third on Holle's sacrifice bunt. Ashley Bullion sent a slow roller back to Louisville pitcher Catherine Bishop who made the throw to first as Stewart crossed the plate. Initially, Stewart was ruled out on the play and the inning was over, but the call was overturned, the run counted and the players returned to the field. Bishop got the next batter to fly out to end the inning.
The Cards had a chance to score in the bottom of the seventh inning when Leslie Garland punched a one-out single and took second on Sarah Totten's sacrifice hit to bring the winning run to the plate with two outs. USF reliever Cristi Ecks entered the game and retired Kristi Cunningham to get the save.
Bishop (17-3) took the loss, allowing two earned runs and five hits while striking out eight in seven innings. Offensively, the Cards had six hits in the game. Garland went 2 for 3 and drove in Louisville's only run. Audrey Rendon also finished 2 for 3 at the plate.
Bree Spence (17-6) picked up the win for the Bulls, allowing one unearned run, six hits and striking out three in 6.2 innings of work. Ecks got her second save of the season.
The second game was scoreless until USF put up a four-spot in the fourth inning. Laura Woof led off the frame with a single. Caitlin Schneider entered the game as a pinch runner and moved to third when Danielle Urbanik reached on a Louisville error. Britta Giddens blasted a home run over the left field fence to make it a 3-0 game. Ray followed with a single, stole second and scored on Holle's double to increase the Bulls' lead to 4-0.
The Cardinals' best chance to score came in the third when McCrain led off with a single and Rendon registered a one-out single placing runners on first and second, but USF starter Bree Spence retired the next two batters to end the threat.
Bishop (17-4) took the loss, allowing four runs, two earned, on four hits in 0.2 innings of relief. U of L starter Kady Garrick held the Bulls scoreless and gave up four hits while striking out four in 6.1 innings. Offensively, the Cardinals had six hits. Garland and Rendon each went 2 for 3.
Ecks (16-10) got the win, holding the Cards scoreless for only the second time this season and struck out seven in 5.2 innings. Kasey Cash retired all four batters she faced. Giddens went 2 for 4 with a home run three RBI. Holle was 2 for 2 with a double and an RBI. Wolf was 2 for 3.
U of L will continue its home stand against intra-state rival Kentucky Wednesday, April 19 at 5:00 p.m. at Ulmer Stadium. The game will be televised on Insight Channel 2 Thursday at 11:00 p.m.
