University of Louisville
St. John's
Louisville Defeats St. John's 8-2
May 13, 2006 | Softball
May 13, 2006
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - - The University of Louisville softball team defeated No. 8 seeded St. John's 8-2 Saturday in the BIG EAST Conference tournament. The Cardinals (42-8) extend their win streak to a program-best 16 games. St. John's closes the season with a 27-30 record.
St. John's struck in the top of the first when Tami Hill delivered a leadoff single, took second on Megan Oliver's sacrifice hit and scored on a single by Lauren Lupinetti's single.
The Cardinals were mounting their own attack in the home half of the inning when Leslie Garland led off with a single and Candi Hicks walked to bring Courtney Moore to the plate. Moore had a 2-0 count when the game was called because of heavy rain. When the game resumed Saturday afternoon, Moore flied out to centerfield to advance the runners, but St. John's starter Lisa Geer retired the next three batters to end the scoring threat.
The Red Storm added another run when Loren Anguiano led off the top of the second with a home run to make the score 2-0.
U of L capitalized on four hits and three walks to score six runs in the bottom of the third. Kristi Cunningham was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and took second on Garland's sacrifice bunt. Hicks singled and advanced on the throw, placing runners at second and third for Moore's two-run double which tied the game at 2-2. Lacy Wood walked and both runners moved up on a wild pitch. Michelle Vasquez's RBI single plated Moore to give the Cards a 3-2 lead. Vasquez stole second and Alma Navarrete walked to load the bases. Totten drew another walk to bring Wood home. Kassie Stanfill's two-run single gave the Cards a 6-2 lead.
Louisville tacked on two more runs in the seventh when Stanfill drew a leadoff walk and Hicks blasted a two-out, two-run shot over the left field fence to make the score 8-2.
Catherine Bishop (28-5) got the win, hold the Red Storm scoreless while giving up six hits and striking out seven in six innings of relief. Hicks led the Cards offensively, going 2 for 3 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored. Louisville had seven hits in the game.
Geer (13-14) took the loss, allowing six earned runs on four hits in 2.1 innings. Lupinetti went 3 for 3 at the plate to lead St. John's.
U of L will play DePaul in the semifinals Sunday at 10 a.m. at Notre Dame's Ivy Field.
