University of Louisville
PITTSBURGH
Softball Downs Pittsburgh 9-1 in BIG EAST Conference Quarterfinals
May 13, 2010 | Softball
May 13, 2010
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - - Freshman Jennifer Esteban went 4-for-4 as the University of Louisville softball team pounded out a season-high 15 hits en route to a 9-1 win over Pittsburgh in the quarterfinals of the BIG EAST Conference Tournament Thursday evening at Ulmer Stadium.
The third-seeded Cardinals (38-16) will play the No. 2 seed Notre Dame in Friday's second semifinal game at 5 p.m. No. 1 DePaul and No. 5 Syracuse will meet at 2:30 p.m. Both games will be televised live on CBS College Sports.
"The team played with great energy tonight," said U of L head coach Sandy Pearsall. "We had great performances by a lot of players - it was a complete team effort. "Kristen Wadwell threw a great game, Jennifer Esteban was on fire - everybody on the team came to play."
The Cards took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Jennifer Esteban and Chelsea Bemis connected on back-to-back one-out singles. Esteban stole third and an error on the play sent her home to put Louisville on the scoreboard.
The Panthers answered in the top of the second when Yvette Bravo double and was lifted by pinch-runner Jessica Rhodunda who took third on Amanda Heitmeier's groundout and scored on a passed ball to tie the game at 1-1.
U of L regained the lead with three runs in the bottom of the second. Jordan Trimble, Kristin Austin and Vanessa James each singled to load the bases. An illegal pitch allowed Trimble to score to make it a 2-1 game. Esteban's two-out infield single plated Austin and James came on an error to increase the lead to 4-1.
The Cardinals used six hits to score five more runs in the bottom of the sixth. Alicja Wolny got the inning started with a single. Pinch-runner Megan Bivins entered the game, took second on Katelyn Mann's sacrifice bunt and crossed the plate on Trimble's triple. Austin's infield single scored Trimble. James registered a base hit to set up Melissa Roth's two-run double. Esteban's single moved Roth to third and an error on the play allowed her to score, giving the Cardinals the 9-1 win.
Kristen Wadwell (18-10) got the win, allowing one unearned run on two hits and striking out eight in 5.0 innings. After allowing a two-out walk in the second, Wadwell retired the next 10 batters she faced, fanning seven in that stretch. Tori Collins picked up her third save holding the Panthers scoreless and giving up one hit in 1.0 inning.
In addition to Esteban's perfect performance at the plate, she also had two stolen bases for a team-leading 17 on the season. James also went 3-for-3 with two runs.
Cory Berliner (13-10) took the loss, giving up four runs, one earned on six hits in 2.0 innings. Bravo, Ashley Amistade and Kelli Gaynor each had a hit for Pittsburgh.
Friday's semifinal game between Louisville and Notre Dame will mark the fourth time the teams have met this season. On April 17, the teams split a doubleheader with the Irish taking the first game 5-0 and the Cards winning the second 4-1. Notre Dame won the rubber match 3-1 on April 18. It will also be the fifth time the teams have met in the BIG EAST Conference tournament - that series is tied at 2-2.
