University of Louisville
Providence
No. 25 Softball Shuts Down Providence 3-0
April 03, 2010 | Softball
April 3, 2010
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - - Senior Melissa Roth and junior Chelsea Bemis each homered to give the No. 25 University of Louisville softball team a 3-0 win over host Providence Saturday afternoon. The victory completes a three-game BIG EAST Conference series sweep.
"Our team did a great job this weekend and I was pleased we got three wins," said U of L head coach Sandy Pearsall. "Providence brought their best game today, but I was happy that we were able to battle and play a solid game across the board to get the win."
Bemis put the Cards on the board in the second with her fourth home run of the season, a one-out solo shot over the right field fence to give Louisville a 1-0 lead.
Providence had a chance to score in the bottom of the third when a walk and two illegal pitches sent Michelle Huber to third with one out, but Tori Collins retired the next two batters to get out of the inning.
The Friars had another scoring opportunity in the fourth when Jen Abrams walked, took second on a passed ball and Jenna Garcia's bunt placed the tying run at third with one out. Reliever Kristen Wadwell retired the next two batters to preserve the shutout.
Roth powered a two-out shot over the right centerfield fence to increase the lead to 3-0 in the top of the seventh. Jennifer Esteban drew a two-out walk to set up Roth's team-best 12th home run of the season.
Kristen Wadwell (13-7) did not give up a hit and struck out three in 4.0 innings of relief. Starter Tori Collins combined on the shutout, surrendering two hits and striking out four in 3.0 innings. Roth paced the Cards offensively, going 2 for 4 with two RBI and a run.
Corinne Clauss (2-4) took the loss, giving up three earned runs and striking out five in 7.0 innings. The Friars drop to 8-16 (2-3 BIG EAST).
U of L 24-12 (4-2) will play host to in-state rival Kentucky Wednesday, April 7 at 6 p.m.
