University of Louisville
ILLINOIS STATE
Pitts Propels Cards Past Redbirds, 9-3
March 02, 2007 | Baseball
March 2, 2007
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - On a hitters day at Jim Patterson Stadium, University of Louisville junior starter Zack Pitts struck out seven and gave up just three runs on five hits, tossing a career-best seven-plus innings as the Cardinals opened their three-game series against Illinois State with a 9-3 win Friday.
With 20-40 m.p.h. winds barreling out to center, Pitts (2-1) faced just two over the minimum through seven innings to earn the win for the Cards (5-4), who are now 3-0 at home this season.
"It was one of those days where you just had to keep the ball down and let the defense behind you make plays," noted Pitts.
The Cardinal offense, which has now scored 35 runs in three home games, continued to give their pitching plenty of run support.
Isaiah Howes tucked a two-out double inside the bag at third and scored on the next pitch when Pete Rodriguez singled to center. Derrick Alfonso then duplicated Howes double down the line, making it 2-0 Cardinals in the second.
With Chris Dominguez at second and Logan Johnson at third and two-away in the Cardinal third, Daniel Burton spun a payoff pitch off of the glove of Redbird pitcher Eric Theisen. With the runners on the move, ISU third baseman Ryan Anetsberger gathered the carom and threw to first, where Burton beat the throw. Johnson had already scored and Dominguez never stopped, scoring all the way from second to make it 4-0 Cardinals.
In the Redbird (2-5) fifth, after Pitts had retired 11 straight, Anetsberger and Jesse Griswold hit back-to-back solo home runs, cutting the Cardinal lead to 4-2.
Rodriguez opened the bottom of the seventh with a solid single to left, moved to second on a wild pitch, and a single by Chris Cates put runners at the corners with one out. Boomer Whiting walked to load the bases and Johnson sent a single over the outstretched glove of Redbird center fielder Dan Weston, scoring two.
Mike Stalowy singled to open the eighth, bringing Trystan Magnuson out of the bullpen for the Cards. Kyle O'Brien's RBI double then plated pinch runner Mike Tokarski trimming the advantage to 6-3. But a lineout later, Matt Bolt hit a sharp grounder to Cates at short who nabbed O'Brien at third, quieting the rally. A harmless ground ball to short ended the inning.
Louisville put up a three-spot in the bottom of the eighth to seal the win. Burton walked, Howes reached on an error, and a sac bunt by Rodriguez put them both in scoring position before Alfonso tripled to center.
After Alfonso was out at the plate on a squeeze attempt by Cates, Cates stole second and then scored on a single by Whiting to close the scoring.
Pitts did not walk anyone and equalled a career-high that was established last weekend at Stetson with his seven strikeouts.
Magnuson allowed a hit and a walk, striking out two in two innings of relief. He has worked 10.2 scoreless innings of relief this season, allowing just three hits and three walks, while striking out 10.
Theisen (1-2) took the loss, surrendering four runs on eight hits in 6.0 IP, fanning six. Jim Sajewich gave up a pair of runs on two hits and a walk in a third of an inning. Tyler Cox twirled the final 1.2 frames, giving up three runs - one earned, on four hits and a walk to go with two strikeouts.
Johnson had three of the Cardinals' 14 hits, with Whiting, Rodriguez, Alfonso and Cates also adding two hits apiece. Alfonso tied a career-best with a team-high three RBI and nailed the only runner who attempted to steal against him.
Cates had five assists in the field, giving him a school record 577 in his career, surpassing former teammate Nick Haley who leaves for spring training Monday after signing a free agent contract with the Colorado Rockies.
Game two of the weekend set will take place Saturday, with first pitch scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET at Patterson Stadium. Cardinal freshman Tyler Mathis (1-0, 4.22 ERA) is slated to face ISU freshman lefty Ryan Copeland (1-1, 7.50 ERA). Admission is free.
