University of Louisville
Syracuse
Softball Drops a Pair of Games at 'Bama Bash
February 18, 2011 | Softball
Feb. 18, 2011
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - - The University of Louisville softball team lost to Syracuse 3-2 in a non-conference game and host, third-ranked Alabama 10-2 Friday in the Bama Bash.
Against Syracuse, the Cards took an early 1-0 lead when Jennifer Esteban led off the bottom of the first with an infield single and scored on Alicja Wolny's double down the right field line.
The Orange answered in the top of the third when Jasmine Watson led off the frame with a single and took second on Morgan Nandin's sacrifice bunt. Rachel Helman's single placed runners on the corners for Stephanie Watts' three-run homer to make the score 3-1.
Louisville pulled within a run, but left the bases loaded as its rally attempt in the bottom of the seventh fell short in the 3-2 loss. Taner Fowler reached on a fielder's choice and Esteban was safe on an infield single. Katie Keller's base hit loaded the bases with two outs. An error sent pinch runner Chelsea Jordan home. Syracuse pitcher Jenna Caira retired the final batter to get the save.
Esteban led the Cards with a 2-for-4 performance at the plate. Caralisa Connell (1-1) took the loss, allowing three earned runs on five hits and striking out five in seven innings.
Stacy Kuwik (2-0) got the win, allowing one earned run on four hits with one strikeout in four innings of work. Caira gave up one unearned run on three hits in 3.0 innings.
Against the Crimson Tide, Alabama scored four runs in the second inning. Jazlyn Lunceford and Cassie Reilly-Boccia opened the inning with back-to-back singles to set up Kendall Dawson's two-run double. Jackie Traina's home run made it a 4-0 game.
Alabama tacked on a pair of runs in the third. Whitney Larsen led off the home half of the inning with a triple and was safe on a play at the plate on Reilly-Boccia's fielder's choice to increase the lead to 5-0. A Louisville error placed runners on second and third with two outs. Traina walked to load the bases and Reilly-Boccia came home on Kaila Hunt's infield single to increase the lead to 6-0.
The Cardinals got on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth when Katie Keller walked and Colby Wherry blasted a two-run homer to make it a 6-2 game.
The Tide got the runs back in the bottom of the fourth when Boccia's two-out, two-run single plated Kayla Braud and Jennifer Fenton who had connected on back-to-back hits to start the inning.
Fenton's two-run triple in the fifth scored Keima Davis and Hunt for the 10-2 final score.
Tori Collins (1-2) took the loss, allowing 10 runs, nine earned, on 14 hits and striking out five in 4.1 innings.
Kelsi Dunne (3-0) got the win, surrendering two earned runs on three hits and striking out six.
U of L (3-4) will face UT-San Antonio Saturday at noon (Eastern).
