University of Louisville
RUTGERS
Softball Splits with Rutgers
April 01, 2007 | Softball
April 1, 2007
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - - The University of Louisville softball team suffered its first BIG EAST Conference loss to visiting Rutgers 8-4, but rebounded for an 8-0 win in the second game of Sunday's doubleheader. Senior third baseman Audrey Rendon had four hits on the day to claim Louisville's career hits record with 243. She surpassed Keola Calderon's mark of 240 which has stood since 2003.
"Obviously we had pitching struggles in the first game - both young pitchers have thrown well for us lately - we just couldn't produce the offense we needed to overcome the runs we gave up," said U of L head coach Sandy Pearsall. "Our offense came alive more in the second game - I was pleased with the way we hit the ball and with how Kristen Wadwell pitched. I thought we played well defensively in both games today. As the season goes on, we are going to have to generate a little more offense with the understanding that our young pitching staff may not always be perfect."
In game one, the Cards took an early lead when Audrey Rendon led off the first with a single, took second on Melissa Roth's sacrifice bunt, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on Kristi Cunningham's base hit.
The Scarlet Knights took advantage of four hits and three walks to erupt for five runs on the third. Kim Hodges and Amanda Heller delivered back-to-back singles to lead off the frame. Amanda Shaw drew a walk to load the bases. Kristen Madoch walked to score Hodges, tying the game at 1-1. Sarah Kalka's base hit sent Heller home to give Rutgers a 2-1 lead. Mallory Miller registered a two-run single. Hodges, batting for the second time in the inning was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to send Miller home, giving the Scarlet Knights a 5-1 lead.
Miller's solo shot in the fifth increased the lead to 6-1.
The Cardinals cut it to 6-3 in the fifth when Rendon delivered her third hit of the game and scored on Roth's double. Cunningham powered her third home run of the season - a solo shot over left center.
Louisville added another run in the sixth when Totten doubled, Stanfill followed with an infield single and Brittney Counts beat out an infield single to load the bases. Totten crossed the plate when Rendon reached on a fielder's choice to make it a 6-4 game.
Rutgers put up two more runs in the seventh when Kalka singled, Miller followed with a double and a wild pitch sent both runners. Miller came home Kaitlyn Valiante's hit to give the Scarlet Knights the 8-4 win.
U of L starter Kristen Wadwell (3-5) took the loss, allowing four earned runs on three hits in 2.1 innings. The Cards had 11 hits in the game and were led by Audrey Rendon who went 3 for 4 with two runs, an RBI and a stolen base. Brittany York was 2 for 3. Cunningham was 2 for 4 with two RBI and run.
Chrissy Yard (6-7) got the win, allowing one earned run on five hits and striking out two in 4.0 innings. The Scarlet Knights had eight hits and were paced by Miller's 3 for 4, three run, three RBI performance at the plate.
In game two, the Cardinals took a 2-0 lead in the second when Courtney Moore singled, took second on Wadwell's sacrifice bunt and scored on Totten's single. An error on the play sent Totten to second and she scored on Counts' single.
Louisville had a chance to push more runs across in the bottom of the third when Roth doubled, Brittany York singled. Cunningham loaded the bases on a fielding error on her sacrifice bunt attempt. Rutgers starter Nicole Lindley retired the next three batters to get out of the jam.
The Cards scored four more runs in the fourth when Kassie Stanfill and Counts singled. Both runners advance on a wild pitch and Stanfill came home when York reached on another Rutgers miscue. Cunningham's two-run double plated Roth and York. Moore singled in Cunningham to make it a 6-0 game.
The Cardinal offense continued in the fifth. Totten singled and Stanfill walked to put runners on. Counts and Rendon delivered RBI singles to give Louisville the 8-0, five inning victory.
Wadwell (4-5) got the shutout win, allowing four hits in five innings. Counts led Louisville's 12 hit attack, going 3 for 3 with two RBI. Totten was 2 for 3 with two runs and an RBI. Moore was 2 for 3 with a run and an RBI.
Lindley (3-4) took the loss, allowing six runs, one earned on eight hits is 3.2 innings. Madoch was 2 for 2 at the plate. Rutgers falls to 11-21 (1-3 BIG EAST).
Louisville (19-16, 3-1) will play host to Indiana in a single game Wednesday at 5 p.m.
