University of Louisville
WISCONSIN
Softball Falls 4-1 to Wisconsin
March 17, 2014 | Softball
March 17, 2014
The Cardinals got a strong performance from freshman pitcher Maryssa Becker who did not allow a runner in 6.2 innings of relief, but could not overcome a 4-0 first-inning deficit despite outhitting the Badgers 6-1.
Wisconsin used two errors, a hit, a bases-loaded walk and two wild pitches to take a 4-0 lead in the top of the first. Maria Van Abel got the inning started when she reached on a one-out two-base error. Another Cardinal miscue allowed Michelle Mueller to reach and sent Van Abel home. Chloe Miller's bloop double placed runners at second and third. Stephanie Peace was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Macy Oswald's walk. A wild pitch plated Miller for the fourth unearned run of the inning.
UofL got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth when Maggie Ruckenbrod and Hannah Kiyohara registered back-to-back two-out singles. Kayla Soles walked to load the bases for Brittany Sims who drew another walk to bring Ruckenbrod home to make the score 4-1.
The Cards also had chances to score in the sixth and seventh innings. In the sixth, Ruckenbrod, Kiyohara and Katie Keller walked to load the bases, but junior Whitney Arion's line drive was caught by third baseman Michelle Mueller to end the inning. In the seventh, Brittany Duncan delivered a two-out single and Ruckenbrod drew a walk. Wisconsin shortstop Sara Novak dove to stop Kiyohara's hit up the middle and tried to make a throw to get the out at second, but it was not in time and the Cards loaded the bases for the third time in the game. Cassandra Darrah delivered a strikeout to end the threat.
Caralisa Connell (5-4) took the loss, allowing four unearned runs on one hit in 0.1 innings. Becker retired 20 straight batters and struck out six in 6.2 innings of relief. Kiyohara was 3 for 3 to lead the Cardinals at the plate. UofL left a season-high 13 runners on base.
UofL (14-10) will travel to Western Kentucky for a doubleheader Wednesday at 4 p.m.
