University of Louisville
Tennessee
No. 13 Tennessee Tops Softball 8-1
May 17, 2008 | Softball
May 17, 2008
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The University of Louisville softball team fell to host, No. 13/14 Tennessee 8-1 Saturday evening in an NCAA Knoxville regional elimination game. The Cards close the season with a 31-23 overall record and their fifth consecutive NCAA regional appearance.
"I was proud of our team played today," said U of L head coach Sandy Pearsall. "We fought all the way through and didn't give up. I know it was a long day for the team and especially Kristen Wadwell, who threw a lot both yesterday and today. She did a good job in giving us a chance to win. This was a tough regional but a great experience for our young team to come in and play at this level."
After eliminating Winthrop with a 4-1 win in the 3:00 p.m. game, the Cards had to turn around and face No. 13/14 Tennessee, the region's top seed - who fell to No. 16/17 Virginia Tech 4-0 in the day's opening game.
The Cards got off to a shaky start, surrendering a run in the first inning. Lillian Hammond hit the first pitch of the game for a bunt single and took second on a throwing error. Chandra Mogan reached on another Cardinal error which sent Hammond to third. Both runners moved on a double steal to give the Lady Vols a 1-0 lead. Tonya Callahan and Jen Lipicki reached on an infield single to load the bases with two outs. Louisville starter Kristen Wadwell struck out Erinn Webb to end the inning.
UT added another run in the third. Callahan was walked and lifted for pinch runner Kelsey Stander who stole second and took third on an error. Wadwell retired the next two batters, but Lipicki's single increased the lead to 2-0.
U of L got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third. Kristi Cunningham rifled a shot that glanced off of pitcher Megan Rhodes' glove for the Cards' first hit of the game. Melissa Roth and Sarah Totten delivered back-to-back hits to load the bases with one out. Cunningham scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Chelsea Bemis to pull Louisville within one run.
The Lady Vols used three hits and two walks to score four runs in the fifth. Callahan reached on her third walk of the game, took second on Shannon Doepking's fielder's choice and scored on Tiffany Huff's double. Lipicki registered an RBI single to score Doepking. Erinn Webb's two run triple made it a 6-1 game.
Lipicki's two run shot over the left field wall increased the lead to 8-1. Huff drew a walk to set up the homer.
Wadwell (19-15) took the loss, allowing eight runs, seven earned, on 11 hits and striking out seven in seven innings. Roth led the Cards offensively, going 2 for 3.
Rhodes (22-10) got the win, allowing one earned run in five hits and striking out seven in seven innings. Lapicki was 4 for 4 with four RBI and a run to lead the Lady Vols at the plate. UT improves to 49-15 and will move on to face Virginia Tech in the regional final Sunday.
