University of Louisville
Fresno State
No. 21 Fresno State Defeats Softball 3-0
February 17, 2007 | Softball
Feb. 17, 2007
FRESNO, Calif. - - The University of Louisville softball team lost to host No. 21 Fresno State Friday night at Fresno State's Bulldog Diamond. The Cards drop to 2-5 on the season, while Fresno State improves to 5-2.
The Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second. Jenna Cervantez and Lisamarie Coronado registered back-to-back singles to start the inning. Both moved on a passed ball to place runners and second and third with no outs. Cervantez scored when Michelle Palazuelos delivered a blooper single just out of the reach of Louisville pitcher Catherine Bishop. Coronado was thrown out at home when she tried to score on the play.
Fresno State tacked on two more runs to increase the lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the third. Haley Perkins delivered a leadoff double. Nichole Willis walked and both runners advanced on a wild pitch. Kristin Sylvester's single sent Willis home to make it a 2-0 game. Sylvester took second on the throw to place runners at second and third with no outs. Merryann Barr drew a walk to load the bases. Cervantez reached on a fielder's choice which saw Perkins out at home. A Louisville error on an attempt to make a double play allowed Willis to score and moved the runners to second and third with one out. Louisville reliever Kassie Stanfill struck out the next two batters to end the inning.
The Cards had an opportunity to score in the top of the second when Sarah Totten led off the frame with a single to left field and took second on Rebecca Saksefski's sacrifice bunt. With two outs in the inning, Totten moved to third on a wild pitch, but Fresno State's Robin Mackin struck out Kristi Cunningham to end the inning.
Louisville was led offensively by Melissa Roth who went 2 for 3. Courtney Moore and Sarah Tottan also recorded hits for the Cards. Bishop (0-4) took the loss, allowing three runs, one earned on six hits and striking out two in two innings. Stanfill was strong in relief, holding the Bulldogs scoreless and surrendering two hits and striking out two in four innings.
Mackin (4-1) got the win, allowing four hits and striking out 10 in the complete game shutout. She retired eleven straight batters after Roth singled in the fourth and was caught stealing. Perkins and Palazuelos each went 2 for 3 at the plate to lead the Bulldogs.
The teams will meet in a doubleheader started at 4 p.m. (EST) Saturday.
