University of Louisville
RUTGERS
Softball Splits Doubleheader with Rutgers
March 22, 2014 | Softball
March 22, 2014
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville softball team split a doubleheader with Rutgers, winning the first game 10-6 and falling 10-6 in the nightcap to open American Athletic Conference play Saturday afternoon. Junior Whitney Arion had two home runs, a triple and six RBIs on the day to lead the Cardinals at the plate.
Louisville (17-11, 1-1) and Rutgers (12-8-1, 1-1) will meet in the rubber game Sunday at 2 p.m. at Ulmer Stadium. Admission is free.
Louisville 10 - Rutgers 6
In their conference-opening game, Whitney Arion went 2 for 4 with a three-run home run to help the Cardinals overcome a 5-0 first-inning deficit to beat Rutgers 10-6.
The Scarlet Knights opened the game with five runs in the first inning. Chandler Howard and Alexis Durando delivered back-to-back one-out singles. A double by Jackie Bates and an RBI single by Melanie Slowinski made the score 2-0. Stephanie Huang's three-run double increased the lead to 5-0.
Louisville got two runs back in the home half of the first when Whitney Arion singled and took second when Maryssa Becker was hit by a pitch. Brittany Duncan's walk loaded the bases for Maggie Ruckenbrod who reached on an error which allowed Arion and Becker to cross the plate and make the score 5-2.
Rutgers added a run in the third when Bates led off with a hit and came around to score on an error after Huang singled.
Kayla Soles led off the bottom of the fourth with her third home run of the season to make the score 6-3.
The Cardinals used four hits including Arion's three-run homer to score seven runs in the fifth. Katie Keller led off with a single and scored on Maryssa Becker's double. Duncan's double plated pinch-runner Jordan McNary. Maggie Ruckenbrod walked and was safe at second when Hannah Kiyohara reached on a fielder's choice to load the bases. Sims drew a walk to bring pinch-runner Paige Alford home. A wild pitch plated Ruckenbrod. Arion's two-out three-run shot over left field to made it 10-6 game.
Caralisa Connell (7-4) got the win allowing two unearned runs on four hits and striking out four in 4.2 innings. Soles was 3 for 2 with a run.
Shayla Sweeney (4-4) took the loss, allowing four runs, one earned, on one hit in 0.1 innings. Huang was 3 for 3 with three RBIs to lead the Scarlet Knights at the plate.
Rutgers 10 - Louisville 6
For the second consecutive game, the Cards spotted the Scarlet Knights five runs in the top of the first. Louisville put together a late-inning rally, but Rutgers prevailed for a 10-6 win.
Loren Williams led off the game with a walk and took second on a wild pitch. Chandler Howard's single placed runners on the corners. Another wild pitch sent Williams home. Howard scored when Alexis Durando drew a bases-loaded walk. Danielle Demarco's two-run single and Jordan Whitley's RBI hit gave the Scarlet Knights a 5-0 lead.
The Cards got on the scoreboard in the fourth when Maggie Ruckenbrod reached on a fielder's choice and Soles powered a two-out shot over the scoreboard in left field for her second homer of the day to make it a 5-2 game.
Rutgers answered with a run in the fifth. Howard drew a two-out walk and scored on a double by Bates.
Louisville put up another run in the home half of the fifth when Jones reached on an error and scored on Arion's triple to make it a 6-3 game.
Rutgers used five hits to add a four-spot in the sixth. Singles by Huang and Demarco set up RBI hits by Whitley, Carly Todd and Howard to make the score 10-3.
Louisville attempted to rally with three runs in the bottom of the seventh. Kiyohara ripped a leadoff double and scored on a double by Jones. Arion's second homer of the day made the score 10-6 with no outs in the inning, but Rutgers' reliever Alyssa Landrith retired the next three batters to stop the rally.
Rachel LeCoq (5-6) took the loss, allowing four earned runs on one hit in the first inning. Arion was 2 for 4 with three RBIs and Soles was 2 for 3 with two RBIs to lead the Cards at the plate.
Landrith (6-4) got the win, allowing four runs, three earned, on four hits and striking out four in 3.1 innings. Howards was 3 for 3 with two runs and two RBIs. Huang an Demarco also had three hits apiece in the game.
