University of Louisville
Stetson
Four-Run Second Foils Cards Friday
February 24, 2007 | Baseball
Feb. 24, 2007
DELAND, Fla. - The University of Louisville couldn't overcome a four-run second inning that proved to be the difference in a 4-3 loss to Stetson Friday night in the series opener at Melching Field.
The Cardinals (2-3) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Senior Boomer Whiting laced a single to left, moved to second on a groundout by Chris Cates and as Whiting stole third, the throw went into left field, allowing him to score.
The fateful second began with one-out singles by Adam Tindle and Jeremy Cruz. Cruz attempted to steal second, and Cardinal catcher Derrick Alfonso's throw to second was mishandled by second baseman Greg Del George. After a strikeout of Kevin Johnson - what would have been the third out of the inning, Shane Jordan singled home two runs to give the Hatters (7-2) a 2-1 lead.
Consecutive walks to Casey Frawley and Braedyn Pruitt loaded the bases. Brian Pruitt was hit by a pitch to score Jordan and Justin Bass's RBI single capped the frame.
U of L starter Zack Pitts (1-1) then went on to retire the next 11 he faced.
The Cards picked up a run in the top of the third. Alfonso singled and moved to second on a walk to Del George. Whiting moved the runners up a station with a sac bunt and Cates's sacrifice fly plated Alfonso, cutting the lead to 4-2.
Alfonso then opened the fifth with a line drive to the gap in left center, ruled a two-base error, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on an RBI groundout by Del George to make it 4-3 Stetson.
Trystan Magnuson entered out of the pen with two on and one out in the sixth and retired the next two batters to get out of the jam. Magnuson allowed just one hit and struck out three in the final 2.2 innings.
The Cardinals had the tying run at third in the ninth with two out, but were unable to knot the game.
Pitts was saddled with the loss, allowing four unearned runs on five hits and three walks in 5.1 innings. He struck out a career-best seven.
Hatter starter Corey Kluber (3-0) earned the win, giving up three runs - two earned, on four hits and a walk in five-plus innings of work.
Robby Donovan allowed a hit and a walk in 1.2 IP, and closer Robbie Elsemiller worked the final 2.1 innings, walking one and striking out one to pick up his second save of the season.
Whiting picked up two stolen bases, giving him 47 for his career, one shy of the 4th spot on the Cardinal career list. He is 8 for 11 on steal attempts this season.
Game two of the weekend series will begin at 5:00 p.m. ET Saturday.
