University of Louisville
Florida International
Softball Tops Florida International 4-2 in Eight Innings
February 10, 2007 | Softball
Feb. 10, 2007
MIAM - The University of Louisville softball team defeated host Florida International 4-2 in eight innings Saturday night in the Florida International Fun & Sun Diamond Classic.
The Cards took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Melissa Roth led off the frame with a walk, took second on Brittany York's sacrifice bunt and crossed the plate on Sarah Totten's single.
The Panthers answered in the fifth inning when Monique White reached on a Louisville error, stole second , moved to third on a wild pitch and came home on Deomni Murray's groundout to tie the game at 1-1.
Louisville had another scoring opportunity in the top of the sixth when Audrey Rendon led off with a bunt single and stole second. Courtney Moore was intentionally walked and both runners moved on Melissa Roth's groundout to place two runners in scoring position with two outs. FIU pitcher Kerri Houck got Brittany York to fly out to end the inning.
With the game still tied 1-1, Louisville's Brooke McCrain started the eighth inning at second due to the international tiebreaker rule. Kristi Cunningham's sacrifice bunt moved McCrain to third. Audrey Rendon reached and advanced to second on a FIU fielding error which sent McCrain home to give the Cards a 2-1 lead. Candi Hicks' single sent Rendon home to make it a 3-1 game. Hicks stole second and scored on Roth's RBI single, making the score 4-1.
FIU put up a run in the bottom of the eighth when Desiree Fink was placed at second, moved to third on Kim Rodriguez's single and scored on Tabitha Embry's sacrifice fly.
Louisville reliever Kassie Stanfill (1-1) picked up the win, allowing one unearned run on two hits and struck out two in 3.1 innings. Starter Kristen Wadwell gave up one unearned run on two hits and struck out two in 4.2 innings. The Cardinals had five hits in the game, Roth was 1 for 3 with a run and an RBI.
Desiree Fink (0-1) took the loss, allowing three unearned runs on two hits in the eighth inning.
U of L (1-3) will play FIU at 9 a.m. Sunday on the final day of the tournament.
