University of Louisville
South Dakota St.
Cards Down South Dakota State 12-3
February 15, 2009 | Softball
Feb. 15, 2009
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - - The University of Louisville softball team posted a season-high 12 runs in a 12-3, six-inning win over South Dakota State Saturday evening in the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic.
"I was happy to see our team bounce back from their lackluster performance in our first game today," said U of L head coach Sandy Pearsall. "We really got our bats going and were able to put together some big hits. It was good to see home runs from Chelsea Bemis and Patrika Barlow."
The Cards struck early with two runs in the first. Kristi Cunningham's two-out RBI double scored Kristin Austin who reached on a walk and Brittany York delivered a single to bring Cunningham home.
Louisville scored a pair of runs in the second Melissa Roth was hit by a pitch and Austin singled. Roth took third on Chelsea Bemis' flyout to right field. As Austin stole second, a Jackrabbit error allowed Roth to score and Austin to move to third. She was safe at the plate on Cunningham's bunt to give the Cards a 4-0 lead.
South Dakota State got a run back in the bottom of the third when Morgan McCabe's lead off homer broke up Tori Collins' perfect game.
Bemis' leadoff home run in the top of the fifth increased Louisville's lead to 5-1.
The Cards capitalized on seven hits and an error to put put up a seven-spot in the sixth. The inning was highlighted by Bemis' two-run double and senior Patrika Barlow's first career home run, a towering three-run shot over the centerfield wall.
The Jackrabbits put up two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Greta Stroh, Ashley Durazoss and Kelsey Lunn delivered consecutive singles to load the bases. Krystal Higgerson was hit by a pitch to bring Stroh home. A Cardinal error on Dani Brosharc's fielder's choice plated Durazoss to make it a 12-3 game. With the bases loaded and one out, Kristen Wadwell entered the game and struck out the next two batters for the 12-3 final.
Collins got the win to improve to 3-0. The freshman allowed three runs, two earned on six hits and struck out three in 5.1 innings. The Cards also notched a season-high 13 hits - including four doubles and two home runs. Four players collected two hits each. Austin scored three runs, while York and Barlow finished with three RBI's each.
Chelsey Evans took the loss for South Dakota State, allowing 12 runs, nine earned, and gave up 12 hits in 5.2 innings. The Jackrabbits drop to 1-6.
Louisville (8-1) will conclude play in the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic against Virginia Sunday at 9 a.m.
