Louisville Softball Downs Villanova 12-5
March 27, 2011 | Softball
March 27, 2011
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Sophomore Jennifer Esteban finished 3-for-4 with three runs and two RBIs to lead the University of Louisville softball team to a 12-5 victory over Villanova on Sunday afternoon in Ulmer Stadium. The Cardinals improve to 21-10 overall and 2-1 in BIG EAST play. Villanova falls to 9-16 overall and 1-2 in BIG EAST play.
U of L got on the board early in the first inning. Esteban led off with a single and advanced to third on a single from Alicja Wolny and Colby Wherry's fielder's choice. Chelsea Bemis' walk loaded the bases for Maggie Ruckenbrod's two-run single to give the Cards a 2-0 lead.
The Wildcats answered in the top of the third. Two hits and a walk loaded the bases for Molly Manning's two-out grand slam to put Villanova up 4-2.
The Cardinals regained the lead with six runs in the bottom of the third. Wherry led off the inning with a walk, Ruckenbrod singled to center field and Kristin Austin walked to load the bases. Three straight singles from Taner Fowler, Hannah Kiyohara and Esteban plated three runs to give Louisville a 5-4 lead. The scoring continued as two walks and a fielding error by Villanova brought home three more runs to make the score 8-4.
Villanova got a run back in the top of the fourth. Brittany Ewing singled and advanced to third on a groundout and an error. She crossed the plate on another fielding miscue make it an 8-5 game.
The Cardinals extended their lead with four more runs in the bottom of the fourth. Kiyohara and Esteban started the action with back-to-back hits. Katie Keller tripled to right field to score both runners. A double from Wolny plated Keller. Wherry followed with an RBI single to score Wolny for the 12-5 lead.
Caralisa Connell (8-4) got the win, allowing five runs, scattering seven hits and striking out three in a complete game effort. Wolny finished 3-for-5 with two RBIs and a run.
Caitlyn Delahaba (4-5) took the loss allowing six earned runs on five hits and striking out one batter in 2.1 innings. Valerie Ortega led the Wildcats going 3-for-4 with a run. Manning was 1-for-4 with four RBIs.
The Cardinals will be back in action on Wednesday, Mar. 30 as they travel to DePaul for a midweek non-conference doubleheader with the first game set for a 12:00 p.m. (ET) start.
