University of Louisville
INDIANA
Christensen and Cards Walk Off Winners
April 15, 2008 | Baseball
April 15, 2008
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Tyler Christensen's RBI single with two out in the bottom of the ninth plated the game winner as the University of Louisville defeated Indiana 5-4 Tuesday at Jim Patterson Stadium.
The Hoosiers (15-17) took a 1-0 lead in the first when Andrew Means hit a leadoff double, moved to third on a sac bunt by Evan Crawford and scored on an RBI groundout off the bat of Josh Phegley.
Louisville (20-14) wasted no time evening the score with a two-out single by Justin McClanahan and a ringing double to the alley in left by Chris Dominguez.
In the Hoosier second, consecutive singles by Jerrud Sabourin and Chris Hervey put two in scoring position when a late throw to third on Hervey's single allowed him to move to second. Cardinal starter Bob Revesz struck out the next two batters, but David Trager hit an infield single that scored one, and when John Dao's throw to first was wild, the second run scored for a 3-1 IU lead.
After Trager took off for second early against Revesz and was caught stealing to end the inning, the freshman lefty proceeded to retire the next 11 in order.
"The first two innings, I was leaving the ball up, but after that I settled in there and starter to hit my spots low, moving the ball in and out," Revesz said.
The 3-1 lead carried into the bottom of the seventh when Jeff Arnold singled and pinch hitter Stewart Ijames doubled to right center to place a pair of runners in scoring position.
That's when junior catcher Kyle Cheesebrough stepped to the plate and belted a two-run single that knotted the game at three.
In the UofL eighth McClanahan singled and after a fielder's choice moved him to second, Andrew Clark wired one into left that put the Cards on top 4-3.
Revesz exited after a staff-high and a career-best eight innings, giving up three runs - two of which were earned on six hits and a walk, fanning six.
"That was the best start of the year, and we needed it," said Head Coach Dan McDonnell.
Revesz handed the ball off to senior closer B.J. Rosenberg to pitch the ninth.
Phegley singled to open the inning, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on an RBI single by Sabourin, tying the game for the third time. Rosenberg induced an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play that sent the Cards back to the plate.
The bottom of the inning opened with a solid single to center on an 0-2 pitch by Cheesebrough. He was replaced by pinch runner Greg Del George who moved to second on a groundout by Dao, setting the stage for the Louisville Male graduate Christensen.
"Tyler is a great kid, a local kid that is well liked on the team and works very hard, and he hasn't had a lot of opportunities, but it seems like every time we call his name he's ready," McDonnell added.
The junior from Louisville fouled a 2-0 pitch sharply down the left field line, and followed with the game winner, rocketing a shot past IU third baseman Ethan Wilson into left field, plating Del George.
"He gave me a second fastball away and I just went with it," Christensen said.
Rosenberg improved to 4-2 with the win, allowing the run on two hits in an inning.
IU reliever Eric Arnett dropped to 2-2 with the loss, giving up a run on two hits, striking out one in one inning of work, after Chris Combs allowed four runs on eight hits and two walks, striking out four over the first seven innings.
Dao, McClanahan and Cheesebrough each had two hits for the Cardinals, who outhit the Hoosiers 11-8.
The Cardinal Nine will hit the road to Columbus, Ohio to face Ohio State Wednesday before returning home to host Villanova in a three-game BIG EAST weekend series that begins Friday at 4:00 p.m. ET.
