University of Louisville
at #8 Notre Dame *
Comeback Cards Shock No. 8 Irish Saturday
May 06, 2006 | Baseball
May 6, 2006
NOTRE DAME, Ind. - The University of Louisville baseball team stormed back from a 4-0 first inning deficit to shock eighth-ranked Notre Dame 5-4 on Saturday, giving Cardinal Head Coach Lelo Prado his 309th win at U of L, tying him with Dr. John Heldman Jr. for the school record.
Heldman went 309-149-4 in 28 seasons as head coach of the Cards from 1937-'66 (there was no collegiate competition in 1943 & 1944). Prado is now 309-300-1 in ten-plus seasons with U of L.
The loss for the Irish (37-10-1, 17-2-1 BIG EAST) was just their second in league play, and first home loss in BIG EAST play. Notre Dame is now 20-3 at home this season overall. The four-run first was highlighted by a bases-clearing double to left center by catcher Sean Gaston.
Louisville (20-28, 10-10 BIG EAST) began chipping away when catcher Derrick Alfonso singled with one out in the second and moved to third on a single by Pete Rodriguez, a hit that extended his hitting streak to 11 games.
Isaiah Howes doubled home Alfonso, and a sacrifice fly to center by Daniel Burton scored Rodriguez, cutting the lead to 4-2.
Nick Haley singled to open the third, moved to second on a sac bunt by Chris Cates, and scored on Logan Johnson's 15th double of the season, making it a one-run game.
Louisville wasted a leadoff triple by Howes in the fourth.
Cardinal starter Brian Halford, who recovered from the first to retire six of the next seven, struggled again in the fourth, loading the bases with one out. But a 6-4-3 double play ended the threat.
After a 1-2-3 sixth by Halford, it was Haley again in the seventh, drawing a leadoff walk and advancing to third on a slash by Cates. Johnson then grounded into a double play, but the tying run scored on the play, knotting the game at four.
Halford mowed down the top of the Irish order for another perfect inning in the bottom of the seventh, setting the stage for the Cards in the eighth.
Rodriguez drew a four-pitch walk, leading off the inning, and Howes followed with his second double of the game, off the wall in right, putting runners at second and third with nobody out.
Burton popped up to shallow left, but Matt Brumsfield could not make the play, as the ball popped out of his glove, allowing Rodriguez to score the go-ahead run.
Griffin Bailey came on in the eighth and retired the leadoff man on a ground out to short. Ross Breznovsky then doubled down the line in right. Pinch runner Cody Rizzo then stole third on a close play that went in Notre Dame's favor, but Bailey struck out Bransfield and got Gaston to ground out to second to end the inning.
In the ninth, a hot shot to third by Greg Lopez was smothered by Haley, who threw to first for the out and Alex Nettey swung an missed on a 1-2 pitch to retire the first two in order.
The second leading hitter in the BIG EAST and two-time defending batting champ Craig Cooper, who leads the Irish with nine home runs and a .447 average watched a 1-2 pitch for a called strike three to end the ballgame.
Halford (4-3) earned the win for the Cards, allowing four runs on eight hits and two walks in seven solid innings. He struck out one and is now part of a seven-way tie for third in Cardinal history with 17 career wins. Halford is the all-time leader in career appearances (93) and second career saves (17).
Bailey picked up his third save on the season with two innings of one hit relief, striking out three. He has five career saves, putting him in a tie for 10th. He is second in appearances to Halford with 88, and ninth in career ERA (4.38). His 26 appearances this season is tied for 10th all-time.
Irish reliever Jess Stewart (4-2) took the loss, giving up an unearned run on a hit and a walk, without retiring a batter. Starter Jeff Samardzija gave up four runs on eight hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out five.
Howes paced the Cardinal offense with a 4 for 4 effort that included two doubles and a triple. Rodriguez and Haley each scored twice.
The rubber game of the series is set for Sunday at 12:00 p.m. ET at Frank Eck Stadium.
