University of Louisville
SYRACUSE
Softball Sweeps Syracuse 6-2 and 7-4
April 21, 2010 | Softball
April 21, 2010
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Junior third baseman Chelsea Bemis went five for six with four RBIs and two homers to lead the University of Louisville softball team to a double header sweep of conference rival Syracuse Wednesday afternoon in an ESPNU televised game at Ulmer Stadium.
U of L won the first game 6-2 and the second 7-4 to improve its record to 29-15 and 8-5 in the BIG EAST. Syracuse drops to 23-19 and 7-7 in the league.
"I am really pleased with the way we played today especially with Chelsea Bemis' offense," said U of L head coach Sandy Pearsall, who marked her 400th victory at Louisville with the win in the first game. "The last five games we have really shown improvement and consistency even though that may not have been reflected in the outcomes."
In the first game, Cardinal pitcher Tori Collins notched the win, hurling five innings of four hit ball, walking three and striking out six. Chelsea Bemis powered the U of L offense, going 3-for-4 with a run and a two-run homer. Orange starter Jenna Caira took the loss, giving up eight hits and six runs.
Although the Orange threatened in the first inning, leaving the bases loaded on no hits after starting pitcher Tori Collins walked one and hit two batters, it was the Cardinals who boarded the first run in their half of the inning. Catcher Melissa Roth led off with a base hit, advanced on a Chelsea Bemis single and then scored when Syracuse shortstop Morgan Nandin overthrew first on Colby Wherry's fielder's choice.
The Cardinals tallied a five-run fifth to put the game out of reach. Jennifer Esteban led off with a single to set up Bemis' fifth home run of the season. Colby Wherry singled, advanced on a walk by Jordan Trimble and Katelyn Mann reached on a dropped third strike to load the bases. Kristin Austin connected for a two-run double to center. Catcher Melissa Roth grounded out to second but Mann was able to score on the play. Esteban struck out to end the rally.
The Orange scored in the top of the sixth when Hallie Gibbs smacked her sixth double of the season and then scored on a single by Jenna Caira. Kristen Wadwell came in with no outs and two on in the sixth and struck out two before giving up a bloop hit to left to score pinch runner Leah Porter. Veronica Grant walked to load the bases with two outs before Wadwell struck out Lisaira Daniels to end the Orange rally.
In the second game, Kristen Wadwell (15-9) notched the win, pitching 6.2 innings striking out 11 batters and allowing four earned runs. Kuwik (5-7) took the loss, going 2.1 innings and giving up five runs on four hits and striking out just one batter.
The Cardinals scored a run in the first inning of the second game when Esteban singled, advanced to second on an error and then eventually scored with two outs on a wild pitch.
The Orange answered in the third inning when Rachel Helman led off with a single, advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Veronica Grant and then scored on a single by Gibbs. U of L came right back with a four-run third. Austin singled up the middle followed by James, who reached on a fielder's choice with Austin advancing to third on an error by the pitcher. Roth also reached on a fielder's choice and James advanced to third when Austin got caught in a pickle at home. Esteban went to first on a fielder's choice and advanced on a wild pitch, pushing Roth to third and scoring James. Bemis repeated her heroics from the first game with a two-run homer to left.
The Orange added a run in the sixth inning when Hallie Gibbs singled, advanced on a Caira base hit and then scored on an RBI single by Helman.
U of L countered with a two-run sixth when Alicja Wolny led off with her team-leading 16th double of the season. Senior Brittany York pinch hit for Mann and singled to center and advanced on the throw. Pinch runner Megan Bivins scored on a sacrifice fly by Austin. Roth added an RBI single to plate Mann who had re-entered the game.
Syracuse did not go away, challenging Wadwell, who came in early in the first when starter Chelsea Leonard was injured. Daniels led off with a single to center, followed by a walk by Watts. Wadwell struck out the next two batters but then walked Caira walked to load the bases. Kelly Saco ripped a two run single before Wadwell struck out Boston to end the game.
U of L (29-15, 8-5 BIG EAST) will wrap up the home season this weekend with a three-game series against conference opponent St. John's. The teams will meet in double header Saturday at noon. The Cards will honor seniors Vanessa James, Melissa Roth, Kristen Wadwell and Brittany York prior to Sunday's noon game.
