University of Louisville
INDIANA
Softball Edges Indiana 1-0
April 06, 2011 | Softball
April 6, 2011
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Caralisa Connell registered eight strikeouts and Jennifer Esteban was 2-for-4 and scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh as the University of Louisville softball team defeated Indiana 1-0 Wednesday at Ulmer Stadium. The Cardinals notched their eighth straight win to improve to 27-10 on the season while the Hoosiers fall to 20-15.
"This was a great game with solid pitching performances on both sides," said U of L head coach Sandy Pearsall. "I was happy with Caralisa Connell's performance and I thought our hitters did a great job. Jennifer Esteban had some heads up base running that put us in position to win and Katie Keller was able to push her across. We also had came through with some great defensive plays for an all-around good performance."
The Cardinals broke through the scoreless tie in the bottom of the seventh when Esteban reached on an error. The speedy leadoff hitter moved to third on a wild pitch to set up Katie Keller's game-winning RBI single with one out in the inning.
Louisville had an early chance to score in the game in the bottom of the first. Esteban led off the game with a single, advanced to second on a groundout and took third on a wild pitch. Indiana's Morgan Melloh retired the next batter to get out of the inning.
The Hoosiers got a runner in scoring position in the top of the fourth. Melloh reached on a two-out, two-base error, but Connell struck out the next batter to end the scoring threat.
The Cardinals stranded two runners in the bottom of the fourth when Colby Wherry doubled to left field and Maggie Ruckenbrod drew a walk, but Melloh retired the next batter to end the inning.
The Hoosiers had their own opportunity to score in the top of the fifth as Lindsay Callanan led off the inning with a double and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt from Cassie Gogreve. Kelsey Stander sent a grounder to shortstop Wherry who fielded the ball and threw to catcher Ruckenbrod as Callanan headed home. Ruckenbrod then connected with third baseman Chelsea Bemis who tagged Callanan as she retreated back to third for the second out of the inning. Connell got Breanna Saucedo to ground out to end the inning and the Hoosiers' final scoring threat.
The Cardinals had another chance to score in the bottom of the fifth as Esteban singled and stole second for her 15th stolen base of the season. Keller walked and a wild pitch moved Esteban to third, but the Hoosiers retired the next batter to get out of the inning.
Louisville had yet another chance to push runs across in bottom of the sixth. Bemis led off with a double and Wherry walked to place two runners on with no outs. Ruckenbrod's fielder's choice forced Bemis out at third. Melloh retired the next two batters to keep the game scoreless entering the seventh inning.
After the Cards retired the Hoosiers in order in the top of the seventh, Esteban moved into to scoring position for the third time in the game and this time was able to capitalize on Keller's base hit to left field, giving Louisville the 1-0 victory.
Connell (14-4) got the win for her eighth straight victory. The rookie scattered four hits and struck out eight en route to her second complete game shutout of the season. Esteban finished 2-for-4 with a run and Keller went 1-for-3 with the game-winning RBI.
Melloh (16-14) took the loss, giving up one unearned run on six hits and striking out six in 6.1 innings of work. Ashley Warrum led the Hoosiers offensively, going 2-for-3 on the day.
The Cardinals will be back in action on April 9-10 as they travel to Pittsburgh for a three-game BIG EAST series.
