University of Louisville
EVANSVILLE
Cards Fall Short in 13-9 Loss to Evansville
May 15, 2007 | Baseball
May 15, 2007
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A five-run ninth was not enough for the University of Louisville baseball team to overcome an early 8-1 deficit in a 13-9 loss to Evansville Tuesday in the last home game of the 2007 season for the Cardinals at Jim Patterson Stadium.
The loss overshadowed a 4 for 5 effort by Isaiah Howes, as the senior from Pleasure Ridge Park High School belted three doubles and a three-run home run, driving in four in the loss.
"They outplayed us. It's as simple as that," said Cardinal Head Coach Dan McDonnell.
" That was an ugly one, but the sign of a good club is to move on. We've got some huge games ahead of us."
Howes' RBI double in the first staked the Cards (37-16) to an early 1-0 lead. Boomer Whiting drew a leadoff walk and stole second prior to scoring the first run of the game, but the lead was short-lived.
An RBI single by Troy Krider, Andy Smith's sac fly and a throwing error at third when Krider slid in with a stolen base, allowed him to make it 3-1 Aces in the second.
The Aces (34-21) plated three unearned runs in the third inning extended the advantage to 6-1.
Krider's RBI single in the fifth made it 7-1 and Jim Viscomi scored on a passed ball in the sixth to make it 8-1.
After Daniel Burton reached on an error, Howes drilled his second double of the game and Jorge Castillo's two-run single trimmed the advantage to 8-3 in the Cardinal half of the sixth.
A two-run double by the Aces Jeff Zelenovich made it 10-3.
Howes belted a one-out double and an out later Chris Dominguez smacked his 15th double of the year to plate Howes.
Pat Tumilty's RBI double and Alex Acheson's two-run single made the late run by the Cards come up short.
The bottom of the ninth began with a pinch single by Alec Lowrey. He was replaced by pinch runner Chris Pelaez as Chris Cates singled and Whiting reached on a bunt single to load the bases.
Logan Johnson hit a first-pitch single to right and Burton lifted a sac fly to center to cut the advantage to 13-6.
Howes then stepped to the plate in what was likely his final at bat in his hometown and crushed a 2-0 pitch down the left field line for a towering three-run home run, tying him for the team lead with 11, and cutting the lead to 13-9, but it was all the Cards could muster.
Ace starter Jeremy Kuester (4-1) went a career-long eight innings, allowing four runs, three of which were earned on eight hits and a walk, striking out three to earn the win.
Sean McCarthy was roughed up in the ninth, surrendering all five runs on five hits, while recording only one out. Tristan Facer recorded the final two outs of the game.
James Belanger (1-3) was saddled with the loss after giving up six runs, only two of which were earned on four hits and two walks, striking out four in three innings of work. Kenny Barnett was touched for a run on two hits, walking one in an inning plus of work.
Kyle Hollander gave up an unearned run on two hits and a walk, striking out two in two innings. Andrew Salgueiro tossed two innings out of the bullpen and gave up two runs on three hits, striking out one. Chris Dominguez permitted three runs on three hits, fanning one in the ninth.
Whiting and Derrick Alfonso each had two hits for the Cards.
The Cards will head to the Queen City on Thursday to open a three-game series against the Cincinnati Bearcats which will complete the regular season schedule. Louisville will then head to Brooklyn, New York for the BIG EAST Championship May 22-26. The Cardinals are currently third in the league standings, and stand to finish no worse than fourth. One victory at UC will assure the Cards of the three seed.
The Bearcats are currently eighth in the BIG EAST standings, the final spot that qualifies for the championship, and a game ahead of UConn.
