University of Louisville
Syracuse
Softball Falls to Syracuse 5-2
May 08, 2011 | Softball
May 8, 2011
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - - The University of Louisville softball team fell 5-2 to host Syracuse Sunday afternoon to wrap up the regular season. The Cardinals (34-17, 12-7 BIG EAST) will return to Ulmer Stadium where they will host the 2011 BIG EAST Conference Championship May 12-14.
The Orange (41-11, 15-5) took a 3-0 lead in the first when Lisaria Daniels walked and Lacey Kohl reached on an infield single to set up Hallie Gibbs' three-run homer.
The Cards answered in the top of the second when Alicja Wolny led off the frame with her fourth home run of the season. Colby Wherry, Maggie Ruckenbrod and Taner Fowler followed with singles to load the bases with no outs. Syracuse starter Jenna Caira got the Cards to hit into a double play and line out to end the inning with the score 3-1.
Katie Keller opened the third with a single and moved around to third when Jennifer Esteban reached on an error. Chelsea Bemis' RBI single cut the lead to 3-2.
Louisville had a chance to tie the game in the sixth when Wolny connected on a leadoff hit and was lifted for pinch-runner Chelsea Jordan who took second on a passed ball. Wherry's flyout to second sent Jordan to third with one out, but the Cards could not capitalize.
After the three-run first, Louisville starter Tori Collins did not allow a hit until the bottom of the sixth when Gibbs led off with a double. An error allowed Rachel Helman to reach and placed runners on the corners for Caira, whose fielder's choice allowed pinch runner Shirley Daniels to slide in safely at the plate. Veronica Grant's RBI single made the score 5-2.
Collins (14-9) took the loss, allowing five runs, three earned, on four hits and three strikeouts in 6.0 innings. Wolny led the Cards with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate.
Caira (31-9) got the win, allowing two earned runs on six hits and striking out two in 4.0 innings. Gibbs was 2-for-3 with three RBIs.
