University of Louisville
RUTGERS
No. 15/16 Softball Takes Down Rutgers
March 22, 2009 | Softball
March 22, 2009
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - - The 15th-ranked University of Louisville softball team picked up a pair of shutouts against BIG EAST Conference opponent Rutgers Sunday afternoon at Ulmer Stadium. The Cardinals (26-3, 4-0) defeated the Scarlet Knights (6-16, 0-4) 8-0 in six innings and 9-0 in five.
In the first game, sophomore third baseman Chelsea Bemis went 3 for 3 with a run and an RBI and junior pitcher Kristen Wadwell registered her 20th win of the season as the Cardinals defeated the Scarlet Knights 8-0 in six innings.
Louisville struck early with two runs in the first inning. Kristin Austin reached on an infield single and Chelsea Bemis followed with a base hit to set up Kassie Stanfill's two-out two run single.
Melissa Roth delivered her fifth home run of the season, a two-out shot over the left field fence to increase the lead to 4-0.
Louisville took advantage of an error, two walks and a wild pitch to put up a three-spot in the bottom of the fourth. Brittany York reached on an error, Roth was hit by a pitch and Austin walked to load the bases. Bemis drew a walk to plate York. Roth scored on wild pitch and Austin came home on Colby Wherry's sacrifice fly to make it a 7-0 game.
Wherry's RBI double brought Tesha Paysen home to give the Cards the 8-0 win in the sixth inning. Bemis' single started the inning with a single and was replaced by Paysen at first to set up the final run.
Wadwell (20-3) notched her fifth complete game shutout of the season, scattering three hits and striking out five.
Rutgers starting pitcher Nicole Lindley (5-5) took the loss, surrendering four earned runs on seven hits in 2.2 innings. Amanda Heller led the Scarlet Knights with a 2 for 2 performance at the plate.
In game two, Louisville put up one run in each of the first three innings and erupted for six runs in the fourth en route to the 9-0 win. Bemis went 2 for 2 with a home run and four RBI and freshman pitcher Tori Collins posted a complete game shutout
Roth led off the bottom of the first with a double, took second on Austin's groundout and came home on Bemis' sacrifice fly.
In the second, Kristi Cunningham reached on a bunt single and scored on Patrika Barlow's double to increase the lead to 2-0.
The Cards added another run in the third when Bemis powered her fifth home run of the season, a one-out solo shot over centerfield to make it a 3-0 game.
The fourth inning saw six more runs, highlight by Stanfill's three-run shot over left field. Barlow legged out a triple to start the inning and scored on James' base hit. Bemis registered a two-run single and Stanfill followed with her first home run of the season for the 9-0 final.
Collins (6-0) struck out the side in the top of the fifth to get her first complete game shutout. She finished the game with six strikeouts and gave up four hits in 5 innings Bemis, Wherry and Barlow each had two hits as Louisville pounded out 10 hits in the game.
Noelle Sisco (0-3) took the loss, allowing three earned runs on five hits in 2.1 innings.
"I was pleased with the way we came out and played today," said U of L head coach Sandy Pearsall. "We didn't have any letdowns and did the things we wanted to do. Part of our goal was to hit the ball well and score runs. Lately we've been hitting the ball and not scoring. Today we certainly put some runs on the board. I was happy with Tori Collins getting the complete game win and, Kristen turned in a nice performance as well."
U of L will complete its 15 game home stand Tuesday when Indiana visits Ulmer Stadium for a single game at 5:30 p.m.
