University of Louisville
MURRAY STATE
Cards Pound Murray 12-2 in Home Opener
February 20, 2007 | Baseball
Feb. 20, 2007
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Six University of Louisville pitchers combined on a five-hitter and the offense provided a 15-hit attack as the Cardinals thumped Murray State 12-2 in the 2007 home opener at Jim Patterson Stadium Tuesday.
"It is nice to see the pitchers attack the hitters and throw strikes again," said Head Coach Dan McDonnell.
"We have been ready for this offense to explode, and after challenging the team after this weekend, they really responded today."
Former Cardinal Jason Payton belted his first home run of the season with one on to give the 'Breds (0-1) a 2-0 lead in the top of the first.
Senior Boomer Whiting walked to open the Cardinal half of the first, stole second and moved to third on a failed pick-off attempt. Chris Cates then plated Whiting with his fourth sac bunt on the season to cut the lead to 2-1.
Jorge Castillo leadoff the second by belting a 2-0 pitch over the scoreboard in right to tie the game at one. It was his first home run of the season.
With one away in the third inning the Cardinals (2-2) took the lead for good when senior Logan Johnson hammered a first pitch fastball deep to right to give the Cards a 3-2 lead.
Isaiah Howes doubled to leadoff the fourth and scored on an RBI single by Derrick Alfonso. After a walk to Greg Del George and Johnson was hit by a pitch to load the bases, a balk by Murray starter Mike Perconte made it 5-2 Cards.
After a scoreless fifth, the only inning the Cards did not score, Whiting reached on a bunt single and stole second. Cates then walked, and a double steal set up a sac fly by Johnson that scored Whiting.
Daniel Burton singled home Cates and then stole second and third before Pete Rodriguez RBI fielder's choice upped the score to 8-2.
Alfonso was hit by a pitch leading off the Louisville seventh and an out later Whiting reached on his second bunt single of the game.
Johnson then destroyed a 1-0 pitch over the fence in center for his second home run of the game and season, a three-run shot, giving the Cards an 11-2 lead.
Rodriguez doubled to open the eighth and eventually scored on a groundout by freshman pinch hitter Jeff Arnold for his first collegiate RBI and the final margin.
Skylar Meade made the start for the Cards and tossed two innings, allowing the two runs on one hit and a walk while striking out one. He was followed by Andrew Salguiero (1-0) who picked up his first collegiate victory, striking out three in two innings of work.
Kyle Hollander made his U of L debut and retired all six batters he faced. Kyle Thornton worked a scoreless inning striking out a pair while allowing a hit and a walk.
Colby Wark struck out three, giving up a pair of hits in an inning and Gavin Logsdon tossed the ninth, allowing a hit and a walk while fanning one.
Percante (0-1) took the loss, allowing runs - four earned on seven hits and two walks, striking out five.
Jon Newton tossed 1.1 frames and surrendered three runs on four hits and a pair of walks. He struck out one. Brad Rowland was touched for three runs on a pair of hits in 1.2 IP, striking out four, and Jacob Donze twirled the final inning, giving up a run on two hits.
Johnson was 2 for 3 with a career-high five RBI. Whiting, Burton, Castillo, Rodriguez, Howes and Alfonso also had multi-hit efforts on the afternoon.
Only one 'Bred was allowed to reach third after the home run by Payton, and Cardinal pitchers did not allow another hit until the seventh. They combined for 10 strikeouts and walked only three.
Louisville will be on the road this weekend as they travel to Deland, Florida to face Stetson in a three-game series beginning Friday at 7:00 p.m. ET.
The Cards return home to face Morehead State on February 28 at 2:00 p.m. in Patterson Stadium. Admission is free.
