No. 17/18 Softball Downs Middle Tennessee 9-4
April 14, 2009 | Softball
April 14, 2009
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - - Chelsea Bemis was 4 for 4 with four RBI and Kristen Wadwell set a new school record with her 31st win of the season as the No. 17/18 University of Louisville softball team defeated visiting Middle Tennessee 9-4 Tuesday evening.
Middle Tennessee got on the scoreboard in the top of the second when Shelby Barret doubled and took second on Brittney Banania's base hit. Kandra Singleton's infield single loaded the bases with only one out. Tobie Joy delivered an RBI single to plate Barret. Cardinal starter Tori Collins got Kelsey Dortch to hit into a fielder's choice and struck out Caitlin Mclure to get out of the inning.
The Cards responded in the bottom of the third when Vanessa James singled and Kristin Austin ripped a two-out triple down the right field line to tie the game at 1-1. Chelsea Bemis followed with a base hit to put Louisville ahead 2-1.
The Blue Raiders answered with two runs in the top of the fourth when Banania's RBI triple scored Barrett who had walked. Joy singled Banania home to make it a 3-2 game.
Junior Brittany York's double sparked a four-run fourth inning that pulled the Cardinals ahead for good. Cunningham led off with a single and scored on York's double to knot the score at 3-3. Melissa Roth's base hit sent York home to make it a 4-3 game. Bemis' connected on a two-run double to give the Cards a 6-3 lead.
Louisville used four hits and two errors to tally three more runs in the sixth. York reached on an error and crossed the plate on Austin's double. Bemis had an RBI single and pinch runner Megan Bivins scored on an error after Kassie Stanfill's base hit to increase the lead to 9-3.
Martha Davis' two-out solo home run in the seventh made it a 9-4 game.
Wadwell (31-5) got the win, after tossing four innings of relief and allowing one earned run on three hits and striking out four. The junior continues to lead the nation in wins and now owns the single season record for victories as well. Collins got the start and gave up three earned runs on six hits with two strikeouts.
Kellie Head (1-6) took the loss, surrendering four runs, two earned in 1.0 inning. Banania was 2 for 2 with a run to lead the Blue Raiders while Davis was 2 for 4 with a home run. Middle Tennessee drops to 8-29 on the season.
Louisville (37-5) will return to BIG EAST Conference play with a doubleheader against Connecticut Friday at 4 p.m. The Cardinals currently lead the conference with a 12-2 record, while UConn is in sixth at 7-6 in league play.
