Softball Sweeps Bellarmine in Fall Season Opener
September 17, 2011 | Softball
Sept. 17, 2011
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - -
The University of Louisville softball team opened the fall season by sweeping Bellarmine 2-0 and 12-1 in a doubleheader at Ulmer Stadium.
"For the first game of the season, I thought we played really well," said U of L head coach Sandy Pearsall. "I really liked what I saw from Tori Collins in the circle. She did a great job in picked up where she left off last season. I was excited with offense we created today. We struggled early last year, so I'm happy with where we started this fall. Defensively we did well. Our young players were poised and the older players did great job of making them feel at ease."
In game one, senior Tori Collins struck out 17 and allowed only one hit en route to a 2-0 shutout while senior Kristin Austin was 2-for-2 with a run,
Louisville jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Sophomore Jordan Trimble got things started with an RBI double which scored senior Kristin Austin who had reached on a walk. Sophomore Taner Fowler's single sent Trimble home to increase the lead.
In game two, freshman Whitney Arion went 2-for-3 with a grand slam to drive in five runs as the Cards used 14 hits in 12-1 victory over the Knights.
The Cards took advantage of five hits and a Bellarmine error to put up a five-spot in the second. Fowler delivered a leadoff double and pinch-runner freshman Carly Atkinson scored when Kayla Soles reached on a fielder's choice. Junior Chelsea Jordan's infield single brought Soles home. Arion's single and a Bellarmine error sent Jordan and senior Tesha Paysen home. Sophomore Hannah Kiyohara connected on an RBI hit to score Arion and give Louisville a 5-0 lead.
Bellarmine got on the scoreboard in the third when Erin Sireno walked and took second on Kelsey Hicks' bunt single. Megan Murdoch's RBI hit made the score 5-1.
Louisville exploded for seven more runs in the home half of the third. Fowler led off the inning with a hit and Maggie Ruckenbrod's RBI double scored Atkinson. Senior Tesha Paysen's RBI single plated Kirsten Straley to make it a 7-1 game. With the bases loaded, freshman Whitney Arion powered a shot over the left field fence. The grand slam made the score 11-1. Junior Chrisanna Roberts doubled to score Trimble making it a 12-1 game.
Sophomore Caralisa Connell got the complete game win, striking out 10 and giving up one earned run on two hits. Fowler and Paysen each went 2-for-2 and Chelsea Jordan went 2-for-3 at the plate.
The Cardinals will continue fall season action when they play host to Murray State Saturday, Sept. 24 at 2 p.m.
