Cards Down Eastern Kentucky 7-0
April 29, 2009 | Softball
April 29, 2009
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - - The 18th ranked University of Louisville softball team tied the school record for wins in a season at 45 when the Cards shut out visiting Eastern Kentucky 7-0 Wednesday evening at Ulmer Stadium. The Cards tied the record set in 2006 when they finished the year at 45-11 after advancing to the NCAA regional finals.
The Cards took a 2-0 lead in the third when Kristin Austin singled and stole second. Chelsea Bemis' base hit placed runners on the corners with one out. After Bemis stole second to put two runners in scoring position, Colby Wherry's RBI single plated Austin. Bemis crossed the plate on Kassie Stanfill's sacrifice fly to make the score 2-0.
Louisville tacked on two more runs in the fourth. Vanessa James walked and scored on Melissa Roth's single. Bemis' double scored Roth to increase the lead to 4-0.
The Cards took advantage of four hits to tally thee more runs in the fifth. Patrika Barlow delivered a two-out single and crossed the plate on James' base hit. Tori Collins followed with a hit and eventually came around to score on a passed ball. Mandi Rodriguez' pinch-hit single plated James for the 7-0 lead.
Collins (7-0) got the complete game shutout win, scattering four hits and striking out two. The Cards pounded out 12 hits in the game and were led by Austin's 3 for 3 performance at the plate. Bemis and Collins each had a pair of hits.
"I'm pleased with the way Tori Collins pitched today," said U of L head coach Sandy Pearsall. "We really needed her to throw well and she stepped up. I was also happy with how we played aggressively on offense."
Chelsea Butler (5-6) took the loss for EKU, allowing two earned runs on four hits in 2.1 innings. Ashley Dollins was 2 for 3 to pace the Colonels offensively. Eastern drops to 16-25 on the season.
U of L (45-7) wrapped up regular season play with a 25-1 record at Ulmer Stadium. The Cards will now travel to Notre Dame for their season finale with a doubleheader Sunday, May 3 at noon. Both games of the twinbill will be televised live on ESPNU.
