University of Louisville
WESTERN KENTUCKY
Softball Splits on Day One of the Louisville Softball Classic
March 12, 2011 | Softball
March 12, 2011
Freshman Katie Keller went 5-for-7 as the University of Louisville softball team split two games on the first day of the Louisville Softball Classic topping Western Kentucky 3-2 and falling to No. 5/6 Michigan 4-1. Louisville improves to 13-7 on the season.
"Michigan is a good team, but we have to find ways to get the job done when we have runners in scoring position," said U of L head coach Sandy Pearsall. "We need players to step up, and Taner Fowler did that against Western Kentucky. Tori Collins did a great job for us today and I'm pleased with her performance."
In the game against Michigan (24-0), Keller was 3-for-4 and junior Tori Collins struck out seven batters, but the Wolverines prevailed 4-1 in the first game of the Louisville Softball Classic Saturday afternoon.
Louisville threatened early with a double by Keller in the bottom of the first, but could not capitalize on the runner in scoring position.
They had another opportunity to score in the bottom of the third with a leadoff walk to Katelyn Mann and a bunt single by Jennifer Esteban. With two runners on, Michigan pitcher Jordan Taylor struck out two of the next three batters to end the inning.
Michigan got on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth with a leadoff triple by Bree Evans and an RBI single by Nicole Sappingfield.
The Wolverines tacked on three more runs in the top of the seventh. Caitlin Blanchard delivered a leadoff triple. Amy Knapp drew a one-out walk and stole second to set up Bree Evans' RBI single. Dorian Shaw connected on a two-run single to make it a 4-0 game.
The Cards attempted to rally in the bottom of the seventh when Hannah Kiyohara led off with a single and was lifted for pinch runner Chelsea Jordan, who took second on a passed ball. Esteban and Keller delivered back-to-back hits to load the bases for Chelsea Bemis' sacrifice fly. The throw home bounced into the backstop to put two Cardinal runners in scoring position and bringing up the tying run in Alicja Wolny who hit into a fielder's choice to end the inning.
Collins (7-4) took the loss, allowing four earned runs on seven hits and striking out seven in the complete game effort. Esteban and Wherry each had two hits.
Taylor (12-0) got the complete game win, giving up one earned run on nine hits and striking out nine. Evans and Blanchard had two hits apiece for Michigan (23-0).
Against Western Kentucky (13-7), freshman Taner Fowler's two-run double in the sixth gave the Cards a 3-2 win over the Hilltoppers.
Louisville struck first with a run in the second inning. Tesha Paysen was hit by a pitch and Fowler doubled to right field to give the Cards two runners in scoring position. Paysen came home when Hannah Kiyohara reached on an error to give the Cards a 1-0 lead.
Western Kentucky answered in the top of the fourth. Kelsie Mattox walked and stole second to get in scoring position. Amanda Thomas singled to right field to score Mattox, tying the game at 1-1.
The Hilltoppers gained a 2-1 lead in the fifth with a bases-loaded walk. Three straight singles from Sara Williams, Laura Smith and Ciara Garcia brought up Mattox, who drew a walk to score Williams. Collins struck out the next two batters to end the inning.
Louisville regained the lead with two runs in the sixth. Maggie Ruckenbrod reached on an error and Paysen reached on a fielder's choice. Fowler followed with a two-run double to center field to give the Cards the 3-2 win.
Collins (8-4) got the win, allowing one hit and striking out four in 2.2 innings of shutout relief. Starter Caralisa Connell surrendered two earned runs on six hits and struck out three in 4.1 innings. Fowler went 2-for-3 with two doubles and Keller was also 2-for-3 in the game.
Mallorie Sulaski (5-3) took the loss, allowing two earned runs on six hits and striking out one batter. Smith and Garcia finished with two hits apiece for Western Kentucky (13-7).
The Cards will be back in action Sunday when they take on No. 5/6 Michigan at 1 p.m. and Western Kentucky at 3 p.m. in the Louisville Softball Classic.
