University of Louisville
Villanova
No. 8 Softball Sweeps Villanova Doubleheader
April 20, 2013 | Softball
April 20, 2013
VILLANOVA, Pa. - The No. 8 University of Louisville softball team defeated host Villanova 1-0 in game one and rallied from a 4-1 deficit in the sixth to win game two 5-4 in a BIG EAST doubleheader Saturday afternoon. The Cardinals (41-6, 14-2 BIG EAST) and the Wildcats (15-24, 2-13) will wrap up the series Sunday at 12 p.m.
"We were happy to survive today," said U of L head coach Sandy Pearsall. "I thought Rachel LeCoq did a great job and our defense was solid. Offensively, with the exception of a few players, we are struggling and can't seem to find our rhythm. "
Louisville 1 - Villanova 0
Sophomore Whitney Arion's home run in the second proved to be the only scoring the Cardinals would need as junior Rachel LeCoq tossed her eighth shutout of the season in Louisville's 1-0 win over host Villanova.
Arion led off the second with a towering shot over the left field fence for her fifth home run of the season to put the Cards on the scoreboard.
Louisville threatened to push more runs across in the top of the fourth when Arion walked, Hannah Kiyohara was hit by a pitch and Jasmine Smithson-Willett drew a walk to load the bases. Katelyn Mann sent a blooper to shallow left field, but Villanova shortstop Ali Lowe made a diving catch for the third out of the inning to hold the Cards at bay.
The Wildcats tallied singles in the first three innings, but only had a runner in scoring position in the sixth when Amanda Marquez registered a leadoff hit and pinch runner Aleshia Ayers took second on Lowe's sacrifice bunt, but LeCoq and the Cardinal defense retired the next two batters to ensure the shutout.
LeCoq (16-4)scattered four hits and struck out seven to get the complete game win. Arion was 1 for 2 with the only run and RBI in the game.
Kaite Poppe (15-16) took the loss, allowing one earned run on three hits and striking out five.
Louisville 5 - Villanova 4
In game two, the Cards built an early 1-0 lead, but fell behind 4-1 before a four-run sixth inning highlighted by Katelyn Mann's two-run single and an error Alicja Wolny's sharp grounder lifted Louisville a 5-4 win.
The Cardinals struck early with a run in the first when Wolny connected on a two-out double and came around to score on Maggie Ruckenbrod's single.
The Wildcats answered in the home half of the third when Shea Palmer led off with an infield single and took second on Amanda Marquez's sacrifice bunt. Lowe tripled to bring Palmer home and tie the score at 1-1.
Villanova scored added runs in the fourth to take a 4-1 lead. Palmer drew a leadoff walk and took second on Marquez's sacrifice bunt. Valerie Ortega walked and Briana Fujii was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Beth Smetana who tripled to bring all three runners home.
Hannah Kiyohara led off the sixth with a single and was lifted for pinch-runner Chrisanna Roberts. Jordan Trimble walked to place two on for Katelyn Mann's two-run single which pulled the Cardinals within one run. Whitney Arion delivered a two-out hit and Katie Keller was walked to load the bases. Villanova's second baseman mishandled Wolny's sharply hit grounder and attempted to throw her out at first. Wolny was called safe on the play while Mann and scored to give the Cards a 5-4 lead.
Erin Samoy-Alvara led off the bottom of the single with a single, but the Wildcats would get no closer as Louisville reliever Rachel LeCoq and the Cardinal defense retired the final five batters to end the game.
LeCoq (17-4) picked up her second win of the day, allowing one earned run on two hits and striking out one in 2.1 innings of relief. Starter Caralisa Connell allowed three earned runs and struck out three in 4.2 innings. Mann was 1 for 3 with two RBIs and a run. Kiyohara was 2 for 3 at the plate.
Katie Poppe (15-17) took the loss, allowing one earned run on one hit and striking out two in 1.1 innings of relief. Starter Kaity Sitzman gave up four runs, three earned, on seven hits and fanned two in 5.2 innings. Smetana was 2 for 2 with three RBIs to lead the Wildcats offensively.
